Two QB's visiting in January

OptionQB · Post by **OptionQB** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 2:33 pm

Bo Jackson is a once-in-a-lifetime athlete. Somehow I would guess that the closest thing Fremont Ross has produced is named Woodson and not Opelt, but it sounds like UT got a good one.

hammb · Post by **hammb** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 2:36 pm

rocketfootball wrote:
factman wrote:In the current day, it is nearly impossible to play two sports at the D-1 level, and especially if you are a QB, and if you do, you are doing no justice to either sport. If he plays baseball, he won't be the starting QB, and if he is the starting QB, he won't play baseball........wanna bet? have you ever tried to hit, after taking a year off of baseball? In all probability, his baseball career is over, and that is a shame.
Tell it to Bo Jackson.

Drew Henson was one of, if not the, best QBs in college football. He played minor league baseball until finally signing a major league contract that required him to give up football.

Ricky Williams was the best RB in college football when he was at Texas. He also played minor league baseball until he gave it up upon being selected in the NFL draft.

Donovan McNabb played on Syracuse's basketball team.

There are plenty of examples of 2 sport athletes that can compete at a high level in both sports.

Lord_Byron · Post by **Lord_Byron** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 2:50 pm

hammb wrote: Drew Henson was one of, if not the, best QBs in college football. He played minor league baseball until finally signing a major league contract that required him to give up football.

Ricky Williams was the best RB in college football when he was at Texas. He also played minor league baseball until he gave it up upon being selected in the NFL draft.

Donovan McNabb played on Syracuse's basketball team.

There are plenty of examples of 2 sport athletes that can compete at a high level in both sports.

Good examples Hammb, here are some more:

Danny Ainge played in the Blue Jays organization.

John Elway played minor league ball for the Oneonta Yankees.

Heisman Trophy Winner Charlie Ward playin in the NBA.

factman · Post by **factman** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 3:10 pm

I don't call Bo Jackson "current day" athlete and most of the examples cited were of athletes playing a "pro" sport in the off season and not playing baseball and football at the college level at the "same time". I am not saying it can not be done, but it is nearly impossible now and also balance the academic side........of course we are talking about UT academics here, which is a point I completely forgot!

h2oville rocket · Post by **h2oville rocket** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 3:23 pm

factman wrote:I don't call Bo Jackson "current day" athlete and most of the examples cited were of athletes playing a "pro" sport in the off season and not playing baseball and football at the college level at the "same time". I am not saying it can not be done, but it is nearly impossible now and also balance the academic side........of course we are talking about UT academics here, which is a point I completely forgot!

I can think of two or three UT athletes who did the double of baseball and football including A.J. Sager who was a major leaguer in baseball and an adequate QB (But pretty good color guy on the radio). I'm sure the fact that they never had to attend class at UT and get credit for things like breathing helped, but nevertheless...

Also throw Glen Smith in the mix from UT. Came out for track as a senior after three years of spring football and popped a 23 foot long jump his first day of practice. Not the same as baseball after a layoff-some of the skills are the same as football skills-but impressive anyway. Of course that was a loooooong time ago.

fredthefalcon · Post by **fredthefalcon** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 3:26 pm

How about Kirk Gibson? All American in Baseball and Football at Michigan State.

factman · Post by **factman** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 3:28 pm

I can name some at BG too......Bob Nemet (QB) and Andy Tracy, and just a couple of years ago a guy named Nick Thurman, but still not very likely to happen now, especially if you are a "starting QB".

Flipper · Post by **Flipper** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 3:32 pm

So...can we pretty much write off Mrarc Krauss coming here? I've heard he really wants to play baseball and football.

rocketfootball · Post by **rocketfootball** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 3:34 pm

factman wrote:I don't call Bo Jackson "current day" athlete and most of the examples cited were of athletes playing a "pro" sport in the off season and not playing baseball and football at the college level at the "same time". I am not saying it can not be done, but it is nearly impossible now and also balance the academic side........of course we are talking about UT academics here, which is a point I completely forgot!

It looks like you are being proven "factless" again by many posters.

Flipper · Post by **Flipper** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 3:41 pm

factman is correct....generally speaking, you don't see too many football/baseball atletes. Most of the guys cited in this thread haven't played in 10 years or more.

I have a hard time believing that UT would be willing to have their starting QB mis most or all of spring practice to play baseball....then again, I have a hard time picturing UT in the Big East, so who knows what your coaches are telling kids these days,....

Lord_Byron · Post by **Lord_Byron** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 3:42 pm

factman wrote:I can name some at BG too......Bob Nemet (QB) and Andy Tracy, and just a couple of years ago a guy named Nick Thurman, but still not very likely to happen now, especially if you are a "starting QB".

Charlie Ward played hoops and football at FSU.

I guess I consider the '90s pretty much the same era as today, so I think that while not likely, it's certainly doable.

TJRocket · Post by **TJRocket** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 4:21 pm

Its kinda surprising that everyone has forgot about Ryne Robinson down at Miami. He is a perfect example of someone making it work splitting time with baseball and football.

rocketfootball · Post by **rocketfootball** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 4:28 pm

Flipper wrote:factman is correct....generally speaking, you don't see too many football/baseball atletes. Most of the guys cited in this thread haven't played in 10 years or more.

I have a hard time believing that UT would be willing to have their starting QB mis most or all of spring practice to play baseball....then again, I have a hard time picturing UT in the Big East, so who knows what your coaches are telling kids these days,....

He said he is going to be our starting QB?

I'd personally be shocked if Aaron Opelt doesn't redshirt in 2006. At best for him, the starter would be a sophomore and Opelt won't have a shot then until he is a junior unless the starter gets hurt or doesn't pan out. And I'd also be shocked if Brandon Summers is not UT's QB for the next four years starting in 2006.

Opelt is a great talent and fits into UT's system, but he will have an uphill battle to becoming the starter anytime soon.

factman · Post by **factman** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 5:02 pm

It is an interesting topic that you brought up concerning Mark Krauss, because I had this exact converstaion with his father at one of the late P-H football games and we even talked about Opelt and how they both had the same decision to make............basically which sport they wanted to play, not that it can't be done, but if you have professional aspirations, one is probably the way to go. I think Mark might still be trying to figure that out, and Aaron made his decision, right or wrong.
I have no knowledge about this, but I would bet a nickle that UT will have trouble keeping Opelt around for three years, if he is not playing and he certainly has better options playing baseball than at UT.

rocketfootball · Post by **rocketfootball** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 11:32 pm

factman wrote:It is an interesting topic that you brought up concerning Mark Krauss, because I had this exact converstaion with his father at one of the late P-H football games and we even talked about Opelt and how they both had the same decision to make............basically which sport they wanted to play, not that it can't be done, but if you have professional aspirations, one is probably the way to go. I think Mark might still be trying to figure that out, and Aaron made his decision, right or wrong.
I have no knowledge about this, but I would bet a nickle that UT will have trouble keeping Opelt around for three years, if he is not playing and he certainly has better options playing baseball than at UT.

Could happen and it wouldn't be the first time a QB left UT because of his playing time. When Bruce Gradkowski took over and showed everyone how good he was in 2003, that next off season we lost Cedric Stevens to a I-AA school because he wanted to play somewhere. In fact, over Bruce's three seasons we lost 3 QB's. Seeing that they weren't going to beat out Bruce for the starting spot, they decided to go elsewhere.

When you have a good and young QB that kind of thing happens.