Post by highjumper on Aug 19, 2005 13:51:45 GMT -5
QB Grady to transfer from Oklahoma
By JEFF LATZKE, AP Sports Writer
August 19, 2005
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Tommy Grady, left on the outside of Oklahoma's quarterback competition because of an intercession class, told the coaching staff Thursday that he plans to transfer.
Grady, who was the team's backup last year, has yet to practice with the Sooners this fall as junior Paul Thompson and redshirt freshman Rhett Bomar pulled away as the top contenders to replace former Heisman Trophy winner Jason White at quarterback.
``In missing so much practice Tommy feels that it would be difficult to catch up now and would prefer to pursue other options,'' Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said in a statement. ``Unfortunately, the time he needed to spend in class worked against him on the football field. We wish that wasn't the case, but we understand the importance of academics.
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``We're disappointed, but we're all for Tommy and are confident that he'll be a fine college quarterback.''
Grady, 6-foot-7, 221-pound sophomore from Huntington Beach, Calif., was 12-for-14 for 63 yards and one touchdown in five games as a backup last season. During spring practice, Oklahoma coaches said the competition between Grady, Thompson and Bomar was too close to see any separation.
``We were very excited for Tommy to compete for the starting quarterback position and he was most definitely in the thick of that competition,'' Oklahoma offensive coordinator Chuck Long said. ``Then he fell behind and it became a tougher situation for him. Tommy has a lot of ability. We are sorry that he won't be here with us, but we support what he's doing and wish him a lot of success.''
Grady needed to take a summer class to put himself above the NCAA's requirement of 40 percent progress toward his degree by the end of his second year of college, his mother, Christy Grady said by telephone. The summer school class ended up being over Grady's head, and he took an intercession class instead. The class, which conflicted with Oklahoma's fall practice, ends Friday.
``He had to concentrate on his class,'' Christy Grady said. ``He did exactly what the coaches told him to do.''
Grady's mother said he was reluctant to leave Oklahoma, but had to evaluate his situation, which put him behind Thompson, who has two years of eligibility left, and Bomar, who has four years remaining.
``He's not happy about it, I'll tell you that,'' Christy Grady said. ``He loves Oklahoma.''
Grady's mother said she had talked to her son after he met with Stoops and Long on Thursday.
``They were nothing but gracious with him,'' she said.
She said she would have more of a positive attitude about the situation if she didn't know her son's heart was in Oklahoma. However, she understands what happened.
``They've got three very good quarterbacks there,'' she said. ``That's a hard decision to make.''
While finishing his class, the 20-year-old quarterback hasn't evaluated other schools to see where he intends to transfer, Christy Grady said. She said that decision will be made quickly since many schools resume classes next week. She said the family will support him wherever he goes. She attended seven games last season and visited during spring practice.
``He needs to be where is the best fit for him,'' she said. ``He wants a chance to play.''
Grady's brother, Jeff Grady, was a quarterback at Fresno State from 1999 to 2003 and was a backup behind two future NFL quarterbacks, Billy Volek and David Carr. He started twice in 2002 before an injury, then played in nine games and started four times in 2003.
That has given the Gradys experience dealing with quarterback competitions.
``They're either the hero or the bum,'' Christy Grady said. ``There's no in-between.''
