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We figured that a decision about the starting QB would come today, after the first practice in preparation for the Louisville game. That announcement came shortly after 3pm.
BREAKING: Brad Kaaya has been named the starter for week 1 against Louisville @TheStateOfTheU
— Ale Narciso (@Ale_Narciso1) August 24, 2014
And, with that, the future is now. Kaaya beat out Jake Heaps for the job they two had been competing for over the past 10 days
There were plenty of reports that Kaaya ran with the first team and led stretches today, and it seemed like he had the upper hand. Here are a few tweets that cover the "Why?" Kaaya is the starter:
AG on Kaaya: "He made incredible sacrifices personally...he got better incrementally..."
— Christy Chirinos (@ChristyChirinos) August 24, 2014
Brad Kaaya is a talent. Tough deal at Louisville but #Canes are in good hands.
— JC Shurburtt (@jcshurburtt) August 24, 2014
Golden also praised Kaaya's accuracy. James coley said separation between kaaya and heaps came 8 days ago and kaaya pulled away
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) August 24, 2014
James Coley: Kaaya separated himself about 8 days ago. Started getting really comfortable.
— Matt Porter (@mattyports) August 24, 2014
Kaaya’s reaction to the decision… "calm and collected" according to Coley…he looked him in the eye and said "yes sir" @TheStateOfTheU
— Ale Narciso (@Ale_Narciso1) August 24, 2014
The decision to start Brad Kaaya has absolutely nothing to do with Heaps injury. He is healthy. Kaaya won the job
— Peter Ariz (@PeterAriz) August 24, 2014
Ability to see down the field is the biggest thing that separated Kaaya from Heaps according to Coley @TheStateOfTheU
— Ale Narciso (@Ale_Narciso1) August 24, 2014
So, the true freshman is better at reading coverages than the 5th year senior? Oh.
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) August 24, 2014
"He put in a lot of work, I’m proud of him, I’m happy for him"-Malcolm Lewis on Kaaya decision @TheStateOfTheU
— Ale Narciso (@Ale_Narciso1) August 24, 2014
Also, don’t think for a damn second this decision won’t help recruiting the QB position down the road.
— Big Leez (@LeezySixFifteen) August 24, 2014
VIDEO: #Canes offensive coordinator James Coley, on what separated Brad Kaaya from Jake Heaps. http://t.co/R4TtRrxWYM
— Matt Porter (@mattyports) August 24, 2014
I hope Kaaya tears it up. He'll have freshman moments but overall, I just hope he looks solid.
— Michael Felder (@InTheBleachers) August 24, 2014
There's plenty more, but suffice it to say that the majority of Canes fans are happy about this news.
We'll have more as the week and season progress.