QB Blue claims Big Ten offer
Interest is quickly rising for Dallas (N.C.) North Gaston quarterback A.J. Blue. The 6-foot-3, 208-pounder recently earned MVP honors at a camp in Charlotte and followed that up with an offer this week from the Big Ten.
"I got the MVP of the quarterbacks at the elite camp in Charlotte," he said. "There weren't too many Division I coaches there, but I did pretty well. I participated in seven-on-sevens and one-on-ones and came through that day."
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On Monday, Blue picked up an offer from Illinois.
"I got in contact with coach Beathard from Illinois and he informed me that they offered," he said. "I know it's a long way from home, but I wouldn't mind going and would be willing to check it out. I did see a couple of their games last year, but don't know too much more about their program."
The Tar Heel State quarterback continues to claim an offer from Duke as well.
In addition, a few other schools are taking a look at Blue and have stopped by North Gaston in recent weeks including Marshall, NC State, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Maryland, East Carolina and Georgia Tech.
"The day Virginia Tech came by I wasn't there and I hate that I missed them, hopefully I'll get to meet them again," he said. "The brief meeting I had with Illinois though was good. They have shown a lot of interest in me and love as has NC State.
"At this time, all of those schools are basically telling me the same thing, to make up my classes that I failed after my brother passed away. A lot of the schools are talking about offers and want to see me at camp."
Currently Blue has scheduled camps at Tennessee, North Carolina, NC State and Illinois in June.
Is there a favorite for the quarterback prospect right now?
"They are all about at the same level," he said. "As far as college, I'm basically looking for a good education and progressing in my sport. That's ultimately what I want."