Jump to content

DRC-Tune plays way to UNT scholarship

Baby Arm!

By Baby Arm!
in Mean Green Football

 Share

Recommended Posts

Baby Arm! Newbie

Baby Arm!

Posted
Posted

Tune plays way to UNT scholarship

Walk-on shines at QB during first scrimmage

11:14 PM CDT on Thursday, August 17, 2006

By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

When Nathan Tune decided to walk on at North Texas earlier this summer he set a goal to earn a scholarship at some point in his college career.

That time arrived sooner than he -- or just about anyone else -- expected. The former Celina quarterback led a UNT offense that was stagnant most of the morning in its first scrimmage of fall practice on Wednesday on drives that resulted in a touchdown and a field goal -- not to mention a scholarship offer.

Tune was put on scholarship shortly after Wednesday’s scrimmage.

“Everything about Nathan went into the decision to put him on scholarship,” UNT coach Darrell Dickey said. “He has a lot of upside and raw ability because he hasn’t played the position for very long. He is intelligent, comes from a good football program, knows how to work, is tough and football is important to him.

“We are tickled to death that he ended up coming to North Texas.”

UNT has a pair of sophomore quarterbacks in returning starter Daniel Meager and Matt Phillips competing with junior college transfer Woody Wilson for the starting job.

Wilson missed UNT’s scrimmage with a minor knee injury while Phillips sat out for a short time after a hard hit.

Dickey said after the scrimmage that Tune, 6-3, 195, would have a chance to compete for the starting job if he continues to develop.

“I was happy with the way I played,” Tune said. “I was not sure how much I would get to play. When Matt got hurt and Woody didn’t play, it gave me an opportunity. I tried to run with it when I had a chance.”

Tune still has a long way to go to become the Mean Green’s starter with three experienced players in front of him, but his development could be a good bode well for the Mean Green’s future.

UNT did not sign a high school quarterback for its 2006 recruiting class after its top target, Carson Coffman of Peculiar, Mo., passed on a scholarship offer from UNT to attend Kansas State.

TCU and SMU both offered Tune an opportunity to walk on while several Division II schools and junior colleges offered scholarships. Dickey said he told Tune he was not sure of what the Mean Green’s situation would be in terms of scholarships during recruiting season last winter.

“After TCU and SMU mentioned walking on, they didn’t really talk to me,” Tune said. “I didn’t feel like they were interested and I thought I might have a role here.”

Tune’s stock has gone up since he committed to the Mean Green. He had a solid showing in the Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star Game, throwing for 108 yards and accounting for two touchdowns.

Tune scored on a 1-yard run and also threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Clint Renfro.

“The all-star game helped me,” Tune said. “We ran a spread offense. That opened my eyes to some of the mechanics of playing quarterback and working with players with more speed.”

Tune’s performance in the all-star game was all the more impressive considering he hasn’t played quarterback for long. He played wide receiver as a junior at Celina before moving to quarterback as a senior.

“Not a lot of colleges thought I would be able to play quarterback because I played at a 2A high school that didn’t throw the ball that much,” Tune said. “I was done at halftime of most of my high school games because they were blowouts.”

Tune has fit right in at UNT and said he was more comfortable the longer he played in the scrimmage.

Celina coach Butch Ford isn’t surprised by Tune’s rapid rise with the Mean Green. Tune was named to the Class 2A all-state team as a senior when he led Celina to a 16-0 record and the Class 2A Division II state title.

“I tried to tell the college coaches he could play,” Ford said. “He has the size, the arm, the speed and the smarts to play college football. Nothing shakes him very much. He is as good as any quarterback we have had as far as a college prospect.”

Briefly …

Wilson returned to practice on Thursday and wore a red non-contact jersey after missing UNT’s scrimmage on Wednesday. Wide receiver Joel Nwigwe also wore a non-contact jersey. … Offensive lineman Dylan Lineberry was held out because of a minor shoulder injury and should return in the next few days. … Redshirt freshman tight end David Collins and senior linebacker Shawn Early suffered injuries during the scrimmage and missed Thursday’s practice. … Linebacker Willie Ransom, center Chad Rose and defensive back Roderick Cotton also did not work out. … Defensive back Dominique Green and wide receiver Brock Stickler returned to practice. … Dickey said he was pleased with UNT’s effort and energy during practice a day after what he described as a tough scrimmage.

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com.

NT80 Grand Master

NT80

Posted
Posted

Dickey said after the scrimmage that Tune, 6-3, 195, would have a chance to compete for the starting job if he continues to develop.

That is good qb size. He sounds a little like the Scott Hall story. smile.gif

KingDL1 Veteran

KingDL1

Posted
Posted

Dickey said after the scrimmage that Tune, 6-3, 195, would have a chance to compete for the starting job if he continues to develop.

Holysh#t!!!

Man, the way this is going he will be starting against SMU!

Congrats Nathan on the scholarship we're glad to have you in the Mean Green Nation.

GO MEAN GREEN!!!!!

SCREAMING EAGLE-66 Rookie

SCREAMING EAGLE-66

Posted
Posted (edited)

Wow.

This kid's stock is on FIRE! The only question left is exactly when does he take over the job: 2,3,4 or 5 games into the season?

[/quote

----Hello TI-001... sort of late for you..... If you have checked email you are now #1 in our Lotto system.... who will you get??

Edited by SCREAMING EAGLE-66
Got5onIt Experienced

Got5onIt

Posted
Posted (edited)

Does Meager get forced out of the rotation with Tune in the mix?

How about a redshirt to maximize Tune's time here?

Edited by Got5onIt
good_ken Newbie

good_ken

Posted
Posted

  Does Meager get forced out of the rotation with Tune in the mix?

I suspect that Tune takes the spot of Ieans and Prince; and will take the playing time (snaps) of whoever is hurt....which is Wilson right now.

TicketJohn Newbie

TicketJohn

Posted
Posted

I've gotta admit, I was totally wrong about Tune. I thought for sure he would be a DB, and he may still be, but I didn't think he'd stick this long at QB. Good for him, it's nice to see another 13-2A kid doing well in a NT uniform.

emmitt01 Grand Master

emmitt01

Posted
Posted

Nothing shakes him very much.

One of my favorite qualities in a QB.

Time will tell if this continues to be the case, but that was one of the impressions that I had from watching him Wednesday.

Great, now Silver has a new adopted son. laugh.gif

emmitt01 Grand Master

emmitt01

Posted
Posted

"that was my impression makes him my adopted son?"

Damn, you're sensitive about this QB situation.  blink.gif

It's a joke. Just a joke. You just have a knack for pulling for the underdog/walkon player. Wissle,Maldonado,Tune....

SilverEagle Mentor

SilverEagle

Posted
Posted

It's a joke.  Just a joke.  You just have a knack for pulling for the underdog/walkon player.  Wissle,Maldonado,Tune....

You forgot Russell McQuiston.

Besides, they gave him a "ship" after the Wednesday practice. That doesn't say underdog to me. I never really regarded him as such.

I like what I've seen of him, but IMHO it's too soon to talk about him in terms of being in the rotation, much less being the starter. He has a long way to go.

mad dog Newbie

mad dog

Posted
Posted

I liked Tune a lot, too. But just tap the brakes a little bit here, he had one really good scrimmage. If he does this tomorrow at 8:00 AM (make sure you are there if you can, it'll be a VERY telling practice), and then next Saturday, as well as look amazing in practices between them, you might be able to make a legitimate case for him playing some this season. If not, we have another hungry player waiting in the wings should one of the more experienced guys give him a shot.

I'm not dogging the kid. I really liked the way he played. Heck, if he is what he showed on Wednesday, what anyone says won't really matter, because we'll be seeing a lot more of it in the next few weeks. What I mean to say is that, if Wednesday wasn't a fluke or just a really good performance, we'll know by next Saturday.

buff64 Newbie

buff64

Posted
Posted

The awarding of the scholie to Tune is a very good move, not only because of his talent, but from a recruiting aspect. Two kids have now earned a scholarship in the past couple of weeks. This will aid in attracting future walkons in the future.

KingDL1 Veteran

KingDL1

Posted
Posted

I am really starting to believe in Nathan Tune.

All summer I have been hearing about Tune from "Mean Green Doc" and a couple other friends that are in the Prosper & Celina area. They told me he was incredible that it would not surprise any of them if he was starting this year,

I took it with grain of salt, but the reports from practice keep coming in, and maybe I am just excited about Patrick Cobbs and his fantastic reports he is getting in NE. But with Nathan's "mentor's" comments and all the guys on the board were noticing this kid, seems he is living up to the hype so far.

Best of luck Nathan.

DeepGreen Grand Master

DeepGreen

Posted
Posted

I am really starting to believe in Nathan Tune.

All summer I have been hearing about Tune from "Mean Green Doc" and a couple other friends that are in the Prosper & Celina area. They told me he was incredible that it would not surprise any of them if he was starting this year,

I took it with grain of salt, but the reports from practice keep coming in, and maybe I am just excited about Patrick Cobbs and his fantastic reports he is getting in NE. But with Nathan's "mentor's" comments and all the guys on the board were noticing this kid, seems he is living up to the hype so far.

Best of luck Nathan.

Is Nathan no only a student of X's and O's, but also a student in the classroom? I remember a time when I was so pumped up about Joey Byerly being our starting QB some day, especially after his redshirt season. Well, we all know how that story ended. dry.gif

Good luck to Nathan. I watched him in the All Star game and was impressed.

VideoEagle Mentor

VideoEagle

Posted
Posted

The awarding of the scholie to Tune is a very good move, not only because of his talent, but from a recruiting aspect. Two kids have now earned a scholarship in the past couple of weeks. This will aid in attracting future walkons in the future.

Looks like holding back some scholarships last Spring might have been a good idea. wink.gif

bigrobdsp Newbie

bigrobdsp

Posted
Posted

as the co-proprieter of the wildly successful fan group "Johnny Quinns Hoolagins", I am not at liberty to join or create a new fan group. I would, however, like to suggest the establishment of "Tune's Loon's". please take my concept and run with it.

TIgreen01 Veteran

TIgreen01

Posted
Posted

I liked Tune a lot, too.  But just tap the brakes a little bit here, he had one really good scrimmage.  If he does this tomorrow at 8:00 AM (make sure you are there if you can, it'll be a VERY telling practice), and then next Saturday, as well as look amazing in practices between them, you might be able to make a legitimate case for him playing some this season.  If not, we have another hungry player waiting in the wings should one of the more experienced guys give him a shot.

I'm not dogging the kid.  I really liked the way he played.  Heck, if he is what he showed on Wednesday, what anyone says won't really matter, because we'll be seeing a lot more of it in the next few weeks.  What I mean to say is that, if Wednesday wasn't a fluke or just a really good performance, we'll know by next Saturday.

No need to crap in our cheerios, illuvius! I (and all my season ticket buddies) are just excited that someone other than Mayday or Wilson Phillips might give us some hope this year! Who cares if he is a freshman if he moves the sticks?!

Ok...back down to earth. The thought of a true freshman QB scares the crap out of me. I saw him play in the TX all-star game and will be there tomorrow. If he looks good again, could we really start seeing starting possibilities for this kid?....and how soon?? Seems like Hall (most similar situation to Tune) was starting by the 3rd or 4th game of his Freshman season (that was a miserable campaign, btw--which is why I'm scared of a true fresh qb). What's the precedent here?

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Tell a friend

    Love GoMeanGreen.com? Tell a friend!

  • What's going on Mean Green?

    1. 22

      Eric Morris needs to go

      I am torn on what to do with EM, but I know he needs to go. Many say we need a HC with head coaching experience at the FBS level. I know there are HCs at other FBS programs doing more with less, but would they come to a place where historically it's difficult to win consistently and risk it all if their eye is ultimately on a power conference job? Then if you take a P4 conference former HC, they have most likely been fired and they may not get the mojo back like Tom Herman at FAU or Charlie Strong. So, if that is the case where do we go? Many are saying no FCS HC or no more coordinators who have not been a HC at this level. Again where do we go if not those type of guys? My thought is that you may have to hire that guy that this board has been reluctant to go after. That's the guys who have had issues somewhere else and that's why they are no longer where they are. Lane Kiffin had issues and FAU gave him the chance to resurrect his career. Alabama gave Sarkisian (spelling) a chance to resurrect his career and he is doing good things at Texas. We have tried a lot of things, but we have not tried that route of HCs with some skeletons in their past. I feel that if that coach wins, people will forget about their past. I am sure people at Texas have forgotten about what went down with Sark at USC. Just my opinion because we have been striking out for a long time on HCs.
      Venson in Mean Green Football
    2. 36

      I hope we lose to Temple

      Geeze yall are so f’ing negative all damn time
      NTSU52 in Mean Green Football
    3. 8

      In case you’re a Yeti collector

      YETI has a collegiate collection. I didn't get a chance to snag one of the above, so I'm hoping that UNT will become available on their website. Eventually?
      greenminer in Mean Green Football
    4. 36

      I hope we lose to Temple

      You mean the playbook that famously can be drawn out on a napkin?
      greenminer in Mean Green Football
    5. 22

      Eric Morris needs to go

      I'm not sure what the path is for Cobbs long term. A lot of us would absolutely love to have him in a HC role in Denton, but we want to see him gain HC experience first. Do we take a chance and give him that crown? Do we watch him leave, and possibly not return...ever?
      greenminer in Mean Green Football

  • Popular Contributors

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      15,479
    • Most Online
      1,865
    meangreen0015
    Newest Member
    meangreen0015
    Joined

  • Most Points

    1. 1
      El Paso Eagle
      El Paso Eagle
      166,969
    2. 2
      NT80
      NT80
      129,958
    3. 3
      KingDL1
      KingDL1
      128,415
    4. 4
      greenminer
      greenminer
      118,595
    5. 5
      TheReal_jayD
      TheReal_jayD
      104,984

  • Biggest Gamblers

    1. 1
      EdtheEagle
      EdtheEagle
      26,589,381
    2. 2
      UNTLifer
      UNTLifer
      4,156,819
    3. 3
      untphd
      untphd
      779,513
    4. 4
      flyonthewall
      flyonthewall
      670,422
    5. 5
      3_n_out
      3_n_out
      578,480
    6. 6
      SteaminWillieBeamin
    7. 7
      cousin oliver
      cousin oliver
      448,120
    8. 8
      meangreenfaninno
    9. 9
      South Texas Green
    10. 10
      outoftown
      outoftown
      314,541

WE BELIEVE IN THE MEAN GREEN!

News

Recruiting

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Please review our full Privacy Policy before using our site.