Neuheisel on Brehaut playing baseball

JG: How did the initial Richard Brehaut baseball talks start?
Rick Neuheisel: “It goes back to recruiting. One of the things when I was in Richard’s home, there was the question whether or not if he came, would he have the freedom to try out for the baseball team. My standard answer with dual-sport athletes, once they’ve established themselves as a playing member of the football team, I have zero problem with a player participating in another sport. Nelson Rosario, Damien Thigpen, we have guys who run track.
Richard came to me and asked if he could give it a whirl. I said, ‘Absolutely.’ But he also understands I have to make the determination of starting quarterback by who’s there. Makes him have a cost-benefit analysis. But it would’ve been disengenuous to tell him he couldn’t try.

JG: The news leaked a few weeks ago that he would join the team, but there seemed to be a back-and-forth on the details…
RN: “The only back and forth was Coach Savage making the opportunity available. He wanted to have Richard try out. John and I talked the other day, and he has a darn good bat, a little behind in defense, so they’re going to take the step.”

JG: How will the arrangement work out? Will he practice fully and then spend extra time for baseball?
RN: “I’m hopeful he won’t lose any football time. It’s up to Richard to see how he manages the rest of hours. I hope for him to be at every spring practice and competing. If he’s spending other time doing other things, what will it mean for his chances? I want to put the best quarterback out there.”