Cameron Friel is more than happy to prepare in the coming year for his destination.
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Kailua quarterback committed to UNLV in mid-May, turning down offers from Navy, San Diego State, Nevada and Fresno State. That hasn’t stopped Colorado, however, which offered the senior-to-be a scholarship on Monday.
“It’s kind of a 50-50 for both,” Friel said of Colorado and UNLV. “It’s a good feeling because it’s a Power-5 offer, the Pac-12, but it’s an awkward feeling. Other coaches, I’ve been close to their staffs the whole time, and another school comes through the back door.”
Friel handled the opportunity with modesty, noting that this is his first offer from a Power-5 program.
“Actually, their quarterbacks coach, (Danny) Langsdorf, he was Oregon with Coach Arroyo. He went to UNLV for a month-and-a-half when Coach Arroyo got the UNLV job. Then Coach Langsdorf went to Colorado. I like Coach Thomas and the relationship we have. We’re still building that relationship. I’m still trying to find that relationship with Colorado,” Friel said.
He hasn’t had a chance to discuss the new offer at length with his parents yet.
“My parents are surprised. They’re excited. They’re happy for me. They haven’t really said too much because they’re still at work. When they get home, we’ll probably talk about,” Friel said.
This is one of the dilemmas about committing to any program early, as in late spring. Friel wants to remain true, but the Pac-12 always has an allure that the Mountain West may not.
“UNLV kind of been there for me even before I committed up until now. They shouldn’t really be worried. I guess you say it’s going to be a little difficult to get me to flip over to another school. That loyalty that I have. It’s just difficult. It’s going to be. I’ll just see what else comes along,” Friel said. “UNLV shouldn’t be too worried because of our relationship, the relationship they have with my parents.”
And with that, Friel headed to Bayview Golf Course on Monday afternoon.
“I’m going to go to the driving range around 5 p.m. with my (personal) quarterback coach, Kelii Tilton,” he said. “I don’t really have the technique, that’s why he’s helping us. Golfing is good, especially if you’re a quarterback. Marcus (Mariota) is always golfing. Golf is not similar to the throwing motion, but the bottom half of your body corresponds with the hip moving, the base.”
Friel doesn’t have his own clubs.
“I have use my dad’s driver. He hasn’t golfed in a long time,” he said.
It’s been 10 years since Colorado last played in the Big 12