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College football

Early arrival joins Miami's QB derby

Kyle Wright left high school ahead of other seniors to compete with Derrick Crudup, Brock Berlin and Marc Guillon.

By MICHAEL SNYDER
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 1, 2003

CORAL GABLES -- Weird.

That's how Miami offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski described what life would be like without quarterback Ken Dorsey.

After leading the Hurricanes to a 38-2 record as a starter and one national title, Dorsey is just part of their fabled quarterback history.

A new era begins this spring. With national signing day on Wednesday, one might expect Miami to be vigorously pursuing quarterbacks. But that's not the case. Miami got the quarterback it wanted before last season, when Parade All-American Kyle Wright of Danville (Calif.) Monte Vista High committed. The fact Miami already had Derrick Crudup, Brock Berlin and Marc Guillon did not dissuade Wright.

It just pushed Wright harder.

Instead of relaxing and enjoying his senior season, Wright doubled his academic load so he could graduate early. He already has enrolled at Miami, though he won't make his signing official until Wednesday. "It was hard," said Wright, who passed for 37 touchdowns last fall to lead Monte Vista to a second straight sectional title. "It required a lot of time and extra studying, but it's definitely worth it."

At 6 feet 4, 200 pounds, Wright looks a lot more like a college quarterback than Dorsey did when he arrived on campus looking like a scrawny string bean with no sign of muscle.

Wright has been touted as the nation's No. 1 quarterback prospect by SuperPrep magazine and Rivals.com. He has a strong arm, is agile enough to evade a pass rush and makes good decisions. He threw only four interceptions last year while completing 161 of 279 passes for 2,739 yards.

He also is adept on the diamond and could be selected in June's baseball draft. He has said, though, he intends to stick with football.

While most incoming freshmen will end high school with traditional events such as proms, trips and parties, Wright will be wrapping up his first semester of college. Because he is enrolled, he can take part in spring practice in March.

"That will give me the best chance of getting some playing time next season," Wright said.

Easier said than done.

Coach Larry Coker said Miami will enter spring with no No. 1 quarterback, but most close to the program believe the job is Berlin's to lose.

The junior-to-be, who threw 11 touchdowns at Florida and started the 2002 Orange Bowl victory against Maryland, has spent the past year at Miami practicing and studying film and has been praised by Coker and Chudzinski.

Guillon, a sophomore-to-be from the same high school as Dorsey (Orinda Miramonte, Calif.), also has looked strong.

Crudup, a junior-to-be who entered the Fiesta Bowl for one play when Dorsey was injured in overtime, said late last season he expected to be the starter in the spring. But he likely is battling for the backup job.

Where does that leave Wright?

"I think I'll be able to compete for (the starting job)," Wright said. "Nothing's promised. It depends on how well I do in the spring."

The head start can't hurt his chances.

Miami's oral commitments also include defensive lineman Nathaniel Robinson from Irvington, N.J., and running back Tyrone Moss and offensive tackle Andrew Bain from Pompano Beach Ely.

It has needs at linebacker, running back and on the defensive line, where six seniors are departing.

But there's little doubt all eyes will be on the quarterbacks this spring. It has been a while since Miami had competition at quarterback, since Scott Covington and Ryan Clement played during the mid '90s.

This one already was intriguing, adding Wright spices it up.

"It's the money position," Crudup said. "It's where it's at."

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