2012 Stanford commit speaks out

Very few prospects from the Class of 2012 have received verbal scholarship offers, and even fewer have made their verbal commitments.

One of the select few current high school sophomores that has made their decision is Skyler Mornhinweg.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound quarterback from Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Joseph's committed to Stanford over the summer and doesn't plan on looking back.

If you think you've heard of Mornhinweg before, you may be thinking of his father, Marty, the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles.

You often hear of the advantages of being a coach's son, and it certainly hasn't hurt Mornhinweg to receive coaching from his father and some of the other great minds in the game. That, along with his athletic ability, is why the Stanford coaches are so excited about the young man's future.

"I committed to Stanford over the summer," Mornhinweg recalled. "I grew up in California for four or five years when my dad was coaching for the 49ers. That was when I was real little. I just loved Stanford ever since I was really young. That was a factor for me.

"Also, my grandparents, my cousins and a lot of my aunts and uncles still live out in California. My dad coached with John Harbaugh, the head coach of the Ravens. He and coach (Jim) Harbaugh are brothers, so I knew what great coaches they are.

"When they offered I decided that's where I wanted to be. I went out for their football camp over the summer last year and got a chance to talk to the coaches. I've talked to coach Harbaugh several times. I've called him and we've talked about how everything's going. We're just keeping in touch. That's where I plan to be."

Mornhinweg reiterated that he is solid to the Cardinal and does not anticipate that he will change his mind.

What kind of quarterback is Stanford getting? Mornhinweg will obviously develop a lot over the next two years, but he already has an identity on the field.

"I like to move around a lot," he explained. "We do a lot of shotgun. They have me rolling out a lot. I had some good receivers last year, and a couple of running backs that really helped me out. Last year there was a lot of shotgun for me."

Being around his father and other coaches and big-time talents has greatly helped Mornhinweg, by his own admission.

I've been so lucky," he said. "I've been so blessed that my dad's a coach. He knows so much and he helps me out every chance he gets. During the offseason we're always working together. Just being around the game, all the players and coaches, helps me out with everything. All the trainers are helpful whenever I'm hurt."

Stanford was the first school to extend an offer to Mornhinweg.