2009 QB excited about in-state offers

Lauderhill (Fla.) Plantation quarterback Brandon McGee doesn't need much time to make an impression. Four games as a sophomore and a strong showing over the summer at Florida State's camp was all McGee needed to pick up two in-state offers early in his junior season.

"Florida State and FIU offered me on the same day, Sept. 1," McGee said. "I also met with Rutgers about a scholarship. Coach (Darren) Rizzi spoke with me about a scholarship offer. He said they would offer me after my coach sent out my transcript."

The south Florida native was particularly interested in the scholarship extended by the Florida State staff.

"I've definitely followed FSU," he said. "It's always been my favorite school growing up. It was definitely exciting for me. My coach was very proud of me. All the work I put in during the summer was paying off. [The scholarship offers] came from my performance at the camp."

The time he spent at the FSU camp turned out to be a feel-good experience for McGee and it looks as though the feeling was mutual.

"I got to hang out with one of the players, Preston Parker, and it just felt natural," he said. "It was very fun developing a relationship with Jimbo Fisher and John Lilly."

Despite the immediate interest in Florida State, McGee will likely have plenty of options on the college front.

"I would have to say the University of Miami, South Florida, Iowa State and Kent State are some of the schools that are talking to me the most," he said. "Miami coach (Jeff) Stoutland has been staying in contact with me and Alabama, they've been sending plenty of mail."

On the field, McGee has had to deal with some injuries this season but has still managed to be productive for his squad.

"Season's going great," he said. "I just actually came back after an ankle injury. Coach pulled me for two games. Last game we lost by two points in my first game back and we had to come back in the fourth quarter. I went 11 for 16 for 185 yards and one touchdown.

"It was very frustrating watching my team play from the sidelines and knowing I couldn't do anything about it," he said of his two missed games. "We have Boyd Anderson this week and that's a big district game. If we win this game, we'll be district champs."

McGee is an athletic quarterback who was clocked under 4.4 at the Florida State camp but he doesn't want to be cast as a run-first player.

"I really like the drop back style," he said. "Coach does design runs for me but I like to sit in the pocket and be patient. Most dual-threat quarterbacks people see as just guys who run with the ball. I try to show them that I can sit in the pocket and make my throws. My feet and my elusiveness are valuable because I can do things if the pocket breaks down but I consider myself very balanced."

At the moment, McGee's calendar is clear and has limited plans for unofficial visits this fall. However there is one big date he has circled.

"I plan on going to Miami-FSU in Tallahassee," he said. "I had decided to go up on my own, but then they sent me an invitation."