Duke QB xferring to Middle Tennessee

MeanGreen61 · February 24, 2006

http://www.dnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?A...NEWS01/60224003

Duke quarterback transferring to MTSU

Duke quarterback Gene Delle Donne will transfer to MTSU and be eligible to play in the 2007 season.

Delle Donne (6-foot-6, 245 pounds) will sit out next season to fulfill NCAA transfer rules and will be a redshirt sophomore for the 2007 season.

“I took a visit to Pittsburgh last week and I had visits planned for UConn, Syracuse and Rutgers. But after seeing Middle Tennessee, I didn’t think any other place would compare,” Delle Donne said.

The 19 year-old quarterback took a redshirt year at Duke last season, but he was rated the No. 22 top pro-style quarterback nationally by Rivals.com and top quarterback prospect in Delaware in the 2005 signing class.

He was named Delaware’s 2004 Gatorade Player of the Year and chose Duke over Boston College, Maryland, Notre Dame and Michigan out of Salesianum High in Wilmington Del., according to Rivals.com.

“I still had a good relationship with (current MTSU offensive coordinator G.A. Mangus) from high school when he was my offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in my freshman year there,” Delle Donne said. “And then I liked all the coaches and players and that community and campus at Middle Tennessee.”

Delle Donne joins a host of other quarterbacks on the MTSU roster under new head coach Rick Stockstill.

Two-year starting senior Clint Marks returns under center for the 2006 season, but he is the only quarterback with collegiate game experience for MTSU.

“I take academics seriously and plan on taking some summer classes. But I really look forward to using that first year to learn from Clint Marks,” Donne said. “This is a great opportunity for me, and I can’t wait to get to Middle Tennessee and join that program.”

Originally published February 24, 2006

meangreendork · February 24, 2006

And we don't get guys like this because?!

UNTLifer · February 24, 2006

Being the top QB is Delaware is the equivalent to being the top 6-man QB in Texas. We'll still hammer them.

emmitt01 · February 25, 2006

“I took a visit to Pittsburgh last week and I had visits planned for UConn, Syracuse and Rutgers. But after seeing Middle Tennessee, I didn’t think any other place would compare,” Delle Donne said.

Que?

Got5onIt · February 25, 2006

Being the top QB is Delaware is the equivalent to being the top 6-man QB in Texas. We'll still hammer them.
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LOL!

greenminer · February 25, 2006

**Wayne Campbell impersonation**

HI, we're in Delaware!

pollock · February 27, 2006

Being the top QB is Delaware is the equivalent to being the top 6-man QB in Texas. We'll still hammer them.
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Delaware.... isn't that a city in Maryland?

MeanGreen61 · February 27, 2006

Big PC police problems for the state. Delaware is the name of an Indian tribe

bigrobdsp · February 27, 2006

Big PC police problems for the state. Delaware is the name of an Indian tribe
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maybe they should change their mascot.

class84 · February 27, 2006

He was named Delaware’s 2004 Gatorade Player of the Year and chose Duke over Boston College, Maryland, Notre Dame and Michigan out of Salesianum High in Wilmington Del., according to Rivals.com.

“I take academics seriously and plan on taking some summer classes. But I really look forward to using that first year to learn from Clint Marks,” Donne said. “This is a great opportunity for me, and I can’t wait to get to Middle Tennessee and join that program.”

So this kid has a 4 year scholarship to Duke, and could have attended BC, Notre Dame, Maryland or Michigan. A degree from any of those places opens all kinds of doors for a young person. Instead, he transfers to MUTS to compete for a QB position.

Kids like this need someone to tell them that the "NFL dream" isn't going to happen, and its OK to take advantage of the academic benefits of their scholarship, even if it means being a backup. Where are his parents?

Mad Hatter · February 27, 2006

So one of his ex high-school coaches is now at MTSU? That answers some of my questions.

Monkeypox · February 27, 2006

"But I really look forward to using that first year to learn from Clint Marks,” Donne said.
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Bad idea.

flyonthewall · February 27, 2006

I hope he learns a lot from Clint Marks, then maybe we can call MUTS a victory for the next couple of years. If it wasn't for Clint Marks throwing that beautiful touchdown pass to our linebacker, we would have been 1-10 instead of 2-9 last year.

NTEagle08 · February 28, 2006

funny how some mock Clint Marks, but he had a MUCH better year passing wise than our starting QB last year. Granted yeah he did lose to us, but look at his numbers vs. Meager for the entire season.

Edited February 28, 2006 by NTEagle08

Monkeypox · February 28, 2006

funny how some mock Clint Marks, but he had a MUCH better year passing wise than our starting QB last year. Granted yeah he did lose to us, but look at his numbers vs. Meager for the entire season.
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I'm pretty sure I spent all of last season harping on how terrible our QB play was, so I'm not sure what your point is.

Being less sucky than us last year doesn't mean you don't suck, cause, well... we sucked a LOT.

Oh, and you neglected to mention that Marks was in his 3rd year.

On Donne: I wouldn't downplay this signing. He was a pretty highly regarded recruit for Duke, definitely higher than some of the people that have been touted on THIS board as the next savior. He was the #22 pro-style QB in the nation, according to Rivals. We'll see, but the kid could definitely be something.

Edited February 28, 2006 by Monkeypox