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QB dream keeps Voss on the hunt

Gulf's Alton Voss isn't ready to trade down to athlete status for colleges.

By IZZY GOULD
Published July 19, 2006

NEW PORT RICHEY - The Alton Voss Summer Tour is about to end.

The Gulf senior has seen plenty of scenery along the southern interstate system while chasing a quarterback scholarship. There are few of those but plenty of Division I giants hoping to woo Voss as an "athlete."

Voss went fishing again Monday at N.C. State where he flashed his quarterback skills. He will attend a workout Friday at Florida then wind up his summer visits July 29 at a USF camp.

Mississippi State and USF are the only schools to offer Voss as a quarterback. His first official visit is set for his birthday, Sept. 9, at MSU.

"I think I had the best performance I could have," Voss said of his visit at N.C. State. "Their quarterbacks coach (Marc Trestman) has already recruited a few quarterbacks. He pretty much said if things don't work out, I'm next in line. They also said because I'm so athletic they would offer me as a defensive back or a linebacker then give me a chance at quarterback.

"The quarterback situation there doesn't seem like it would be very good. I don't know about N.C. State that much anymore."

This hasn't been the perfect summer for Voss, who combined for roughly 2,200 yards of total offense and 25 touchdowns as a junior.

His dream of playing at Alabama died after Plant quarterback Robert Marve orally committed to the Crimson Tide. Voss was believed to be the next in line.

Voss now lists Mississippi State and Florida his top choices for quarterback. He has been apprehensive to commit to MSU without exploring his options with the Gators.

That could be costly.

The Bulldogs are searching for two quarterbacks after not signing any with their last recruiting class. They already have a commitment from Carver (Ala.) quarterback Chris Relf. If St. Thomas Aquinas quarterback Wesley Carroll gives an oral commitment, Voss believes he would be left out.

Voss hopes a strong performance at Florida will help sway coaches into offering him a quarterback spot. He has been told to accept an offer from the Gators as an athlete.

Why is Voss so committed to playing quarterback?

"They could put you anywhere," Voss said. "If there's someone there before you, I think it makes it harder. If you go to a school knowing what your position is going to be it makes it easier. Going as a quarterback would be the best thing for me."

Contact Izzy Gould at igould@ sptimes.com

[Last modified July 18, 2006, 22:45:01]