Colleges

Plant QB includes USF among his options

As Alabama coaching search continues, Marve ponders his choices and attends USF practice.

By MIKE CAMUNAS
Published December 14, 2006

TAMPA - Plant quarterback Robert Marve, fresh off winning the Class 4A state title on Saturday, might have become even more popular Wednesday.

Marve, who verbally committed to Alabama in June, wants to "weigh out" all his options after setting the state's single-season touchdown record (49) in a 25-21 win over Ponte Vedra Beach Nease.

"I just don't know if I'm ready to go to Alabama or not," said Marve, who threw three touchdowns Saturday. "I just want to make sure all my options are open. I'll talk to my family about it, (but) being in Florida definitely helps."

First on Marve's option tour was USF. He attended the Bulls' practice Wednesday, something he has done three times this year. However, he turned out to be the highlight of practice as players and coaches congratulated the high school senior.

Plant coach Robert Weiner, who attended practice with Marve, said USF coach Jim Leavitt was scheduled to make a house visit Wednesday night and that Alabama interim coach Joe Kines and an assistant visited Tuesday night. Alabama fired coach Mike Shula on Nov. 27 and has not named a replacement.

"We're kind of in a holding pattern right now," Weiner said. "We're going to wait until we see what happens with Alabama, but at the same time, we'll listen to what else is out there."

Marve said he will make a final decision in a few weeks but also said he likes the the "real personal" coaching staff at USF.

"(USF) is definitely an option," Marve said. "But they are right with any other school."

Weiner said that despite having to compete with redshirt freshman Matt Grothe, USF is a good option for Marve.

"He knows it's a good situation for him as a quarterback to compete," Weiner said. "He's got a great comfort zone in Tampa, so it's a good situation for him."

In other news, Lawrence McCoy, a 6-6, 265-pound offensive tackle from Valdosta (Ga.) High, verbally committed to USF, according to the recruiting Web site USFnation.com.

Appalachian State dominates I-AA team

No wonder Appalachian State is set to play for its second consecutive Division I-AA national championship. The Mountaineers placed four players on the Associated Press I-AA All-America team and had two more on the third team.

Defensive end Marques Murrell, safety Jeremy Wiggins and offensive linemen Kerry Brown and Michael Isenhour were selected to the first team. No other school had more than two first-teamers or four players on the three teams.

The Mountaineers (13-1) face Massachusetts (13-1) on Friday.

ARKANSAS: Receiver Damian Williams was given his release to transfer, coach Houston Nutt said.

BOSTON COLLEGE: The school has received permission to speak with New York Giants quarterbacks coach Kevin Gilbride about its head coaching job.

UAB: LSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher will reportedly interview today with for the Alabama-Birmingham head coaching job.

Times staff writer Greg Auman contributed to this report, which used information from Times wires.

[Last modified December 14, 2006, 05:13:40]