Duke's Greg Paulus Ponders a Future in Football
Basketball Guard Offered Scholarship to Play Football at Michigan
© Ray Cox
Apr 15, 2009
There are several media reports that make it clear Paulus is seriously considering a return to the sport in which he was a highly recruited quarterback at Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, N.Y., before deciding to cast his lot with Duke basketball and coach Mike Krzyzewski. After starting 95 games in his career, Paulus fell out of favor during his senior season, chiefly because of minor injuries and a lack of quickness that was apparent against top-level point guards in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In fact, on Thursday, Paulus said Michigan has offered him a scholarship and the chance to compete to be the starter next season.
Duke Confirms That Packers Worked Out Paulus
Duke issued a release saying that Paulus worked out for the Green Bay Packers of the NFL last week. The Packers would not comment. Duke coach David Cutcliffe admitted to reporters in N.C. that he has offered Paulus a chance to suit up with the Blue Devils as a slot receiver, but he thinks Paulus has been away from the game too long to return to the quarterback position and be able to compete with other Blue Devils in the competition. Paulus last took a snap in anger in the fall of 2004.
His Visit to Michigan Football Practice Was on Tuesday
Another report placed Paulus at Michigan on Tuesday and said he had spoken with Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez, who runs a spread offense that might be more suitable to Paulus’ skills and give him a chance to compete for the starting position. NCAA eligibility rules would allow Paulus to transfer and play another sport because athletes have 10 semesters of eligibility and he did not have a basketball redshirt season. ESPN.com’s Christopher Lawlor reported that Paulus watched the Wolverines practice and discussed his situation with Rodriguez. Neither Rodriguez nor Michigan would comment. Rodriguez got two quarterbacks during the February signing period who are about the same size as Paulus. Denard Robinson of Deerfield Beach, Fla., and Tate Forcier of San Diego will be given a chance to take the field this fall as freshmen. Both are about 6 feet, 180 pounds.
Size, Arm Strength is Questioned by High School Mentor
Joe Casamento, Paulus’ former high school coach, told ESPN that Paulus would have to gain significant weight to return to the football field and that it was questionable how strong his passing arm might be after being away from the game for four years. Paulus is 6 feet 1 and played college basketball at 180 pounds.
He Set Numerous Records During N.Y. High School Career
In high school, Paulus set six N.Y. state passing records and led his team to a 42-3 record with 152 touchdown passes in 45 games. He passed for 11,763 yards and was offered scholarships by the University of Miami and Notre Dame. He told USA Today in January that he was happy with his decision to choose basketball over football. "I wanted to play point guard, and I got a chance to do that and to play for Duke and Coach K. I wouldn’t change a thing," Paulus told USA Today. He averaged nearly 30 minutes and 10 points per game in his first three seasons at Duke, but those figures were cut in half during his senior year when he started only five games.
