Football: Loyola could be losing one of its quarterbacks

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On Tuesday, Los Angeles Loyola quarterback Jerry Neuheisel showed up to a passing competition with a sore arm, but his backup, junior Brett Nelson, was nowhere in sight and apparently making plans to transfer

This is about the least surprising development of the summer, for whatever decision Coach Jeff Kearin made in picking a starting quarterback, the runner-up was expected to shop for another school.

This has become part of the high school sports scene. Two summers ago, after Nick Montana showed up at Westlake Village Oaks Christian, three backup quarterbacks transferred to other schools.

But there’s no easy decision for the 6-foot-3 Nelson, who has a strong arm and was talented enough to be the varsity backup as a sophomore. One school he’ll probably look at is La Canada St. Francis, a school his family has ties to, but the Golden Knights already have a senior starter and their backup is a junior, James Bonds, the son of Coach Jim Bonds.

And St. Francis Principal Tom Moran hasn’t approved many transfers. Nelson also has to have a change of residence to be eligible. So I feel sympathy for Nelson’s plight, but transferring is no guarantee of playing time or success. Loyola sure could have used him Tuesday.

-- Eric Sondheimer