Rickie was prepared to sit this year when he transferred. He has said as much because the staff warned him Kyle was a maybe to come back and even if he didn't come back, there would be an open competition. He knew they were bringing in another QB in the spring too.
The coaching staff is incredibly transparent with players that no playing time is gifted and is always earned. It's why some guys, like Barnes, leave. If you want a guarantee, you generally don't play for this staff. Just the way it is. Fran wants guys who aren't scared of competition.
If you've listened to Johntay's interviews, he was clearly miffed with past coaching staffs who he thought weren't transparent -- that they'd promise something and then things would change because they always had other plans. He liked that Fran was the opposite -- that he told him straight up the opportunity was to come in, work hard and replace Pena's production. He didn't guarantee him anything -- told him what the opportunity was if he worked hard and earned it.
Fran's a tough guy to play for but it's never due to a lack of transparency.
