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Getting A Head Start

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By KATHERINE SMITH, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 15, 2008

Updated: 01/15/2008 12:44 am

TAMPA - By this time next year, Aaron Murray will be at the college of his choice - a good five months before the rest of his graduating Plant High class.

Murray, one of the nation's most sought-after quarterbacks, is preparing to skip his final high school semester by graduating in December in hopes of gaining a competitive edge by enrolling in college in time for spring semester.

Welcome to the latest trend in college football - getting there early.

"It definitely gives you a leg up from a football perspective," Plant coach Robert Weiner said. "I don't know if it's a good trend or a bad trend. If the kids have done their work academically, I don't think there's anything wrong with it."

Murray's desire to begin his collegiate career earlier than most was bolstered after he attended the Elite 11 Quarterback Camp in California this past summer. He discovered that every one of the high school quarterbacks participating is on track to graduate early.

Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow did it, arriving at Florida a couple of weeks after his Nease High School team defeated Armwood for the state championship. Jefferson quarterback Stephen Garcia did it last year to mixed results.

A couple of run-ins with the law early on set him back at South Carolina, but the extra time with the playbook and workouts should give Garcia a boost this spring when he competes for the starting job.

The University of South Florida has had numerous players arrive in January, Bulls offensive line coach Mike Simmonds said, and the additional practices they get in the spring is certainly an advantage.

"We like the guys that can come in January and start school because then they get to go through spring football and all that," Simmonds said.

And probably no position benefits from that extra practice time more than quarterback.

"Quarterback has such a learning curve that there's no question, that just from a football standpoint, it's the best thing to do for a quarterback," Weiner said. "There's so much he can learn in that spring season."

Weiner isn't sold on the benefits of other positions enrolling early, but that hasn't stopped several in this area. Jefferson defensive lineman Max Holloway graduated last month and got a head start at Boston College.

Armwood two-way lineman Matt Patchan arrived at the University of Florida two days after he announced his intention of playing for the Gators.

"You go there and get acclimated to college and start working out with the guys," Patchan said. "You meet everybody and you show them what you're all about in spring ball.

"Hopefully, if you want to compete for a starting job, you have that upper hand."

Patchan also looks forward to getting his college degree earlier. It's not just an athletic advantage. There are some academic benefits as well. More schools are allowing athletes to get master's credits during their scholarship years.

But it takes extra work and dedication to graduate early.

Garcia benefited from a block schedule at Jefferson. It allowed him to take more classes than traditional semester scheduling. Murray will have to cram, including summer classes, if he plans on graduating early.

Some wonder whether the hurry up-and-grow up mentality, despite the benefits, might hinder the players.

"I'm a traditionalist," said Jefferson coach Mike Fenton, who also serves as a guidance counselor. "A lot of it depends on the kid and whether they are ready for college earlier, but I also think your last semester of high school is a very special time that these kids will miss out on."

Murray plans to come home on weekends, especially for prom. He knows he'll be homesick, but he also has a goal.

"Your senior year is the most fun year you'll have in high school," he said. "But I have a dream and I want to go after that. If this is going to make it a better opportunity for me, I'm going to do it."

Reporter Katherine Smith can be reached at (813) 259-7860 or ksmith@tampatrib.com.

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