The One That Got Away: QB Justin Worley

Of the top twenty Class of 2011 prospects in South Carolina, the in-state schools currently have eleven players committed; there are four who remain uncommitted, with a total of five headed outside of the state to play their collegiate football. Today, I'll talk about a kid who is getting away from us. The University of Tennessee gets the Big Thief Award for the biggest steal - Northwestern quarterback Justin Worley. The 6-5, 200lbs signal caller was a three year starter for the Trojans, leading them to three 4A-DII title games, capturing the championship this past season. Worley passed for 5,315 yards and a state-record 64 touchdown passes this season. He has passed for 13,385 yards and 157 touchdowns during his high school career. This past season, he was named the South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year, was a finalist for the 2010 South Carolina Mr. Football Award, a 2010 Shrine Bowl Selection, and was named the 2010 National Gatorade Player of the Year. Oh yeh, did I mention the kid has a 4.07 GPA, is a devoted member to his church, a volunteer speaker for the FCA, and has participated as a volunteer in community food and clothing drives for the homeless? He is a humble kid, who always gives his line, receivers, and backs the credit for his success.

Jim Baxter's Eval On Justin Worley

Arm Strength: Outstanding; great velocity on the ball. Set up: Difficult to evaluation; rarely lined up under center; always on balance at set with good body positioning. Accuracy: Throws very catchable footballs. Can throw the deep ball with good placement, the deep out with zip, and has developed touch on the short pass; that was a problem with him early because he has such a strong arm but he has corrected that. Field Vision: This is where I feel Worley is advanced. If you watch this kid live, you can see him go the the progression reads and find the second and third receivers. Running ability: He is not a threat to hurt you with his legs, but can get back to the line of scrimmage and while he's not the great scrambler, he does know how to use the pocket for protection and let the rush go by him. Delivery: Has a fairly quick release. Early in his career there was a bit of a windup, probably because of his baseball background, but he has overcome that. His mechanics can use some polishing. Leadership: He is the kid in the huddle the team looks to when they are down. He is very poised. He has great maturity in overcoming mistakes and not letting them take control of his mind. Rarely gets rattled. (Go back and watch the South Pointe game)

The big mystery here is why neither of the in-state schools put an offer on the table for this kid? I've heard the knocks on him. "His mechanics are not great" and "he doesn't always throw a pretty ball" and blah, blah, blah. If poor mechanics and a sometime ugly throw kept guys from playing football, Billy Kilmer would have never stepped onto the field. Say what you want about Worley's mechanics or pick apart any other part of his game, but the one thing you cannot deny is that he is a WINNER. He has led his team to a 36-6 record as a starter, including a perfect 15-0 season in 2010. As I mentioned earlier, he led them to three state title appearances winning this past season. In 2009, he opened my eyes. I felt his sophomore success was primarily because of the great weapons he had surrounding him. But in 2009, he returned with a youthful team around him and by mid-season, had put them on track to winning and took ownership of that team and the program.

Now, he heads off to Tennessee to play for the Vols. With the struggles that Matt Sims and Tyler Bray had this past season, I wonder if the Vols staff don't have Worley in mind as a challenger for the starting job. I hope that is not the case. Not that I'm not pulling for Justin, but I'd much rather see him brought along slow, allowing him to develop into the great quarterback that I know he can be. And if he does and comes back to haunt the people in the Palmetto State who have to play Tennessee, people will forget about the criticism cast this young man's way, scratch their heads and say "how did we let him get away?" Justin, if you're reading this, I wish you the best of luck and hope you're blessed in your endeavors.

If you have recruiting questions for Jim Baxter, email him at scvarsity@sc.rr.com