Could Marve wind up playing against USF?

There's been a bit of an information blackout in the last several days from the Robert Marve camp, with little news as to where the former Plant and Miami quarterback could wind up playing next. Figuring out where Marve will be is a complex, complicated matter.

Today is the last day of the second week of USF's spring semester, the final day in which a student can enroll for spring classes. So at this point, we can say with relative certainty that Marve won't be at USF this spring, but that doesn't necessarily mean he won't be playing quarterback for the Bulls in 2010.

I talked with Plant coach Robert Weiner on Saturday, and at that point, he said the Marves were still deciding how they wanted to proceed, as much as where. Miami had lifted some of its restrictions on where Marve would be released to, and I asked if the family was ready to proceed with its available options or continue trying to find ways to get to schools not on Miami's list. He didn't know.

For all the fuss with Miami blocking some schools, there are certainly loopholes that would allow Marve to play wherever he wants in 2010. Perhaps the easiest would be spending one year at a community college -- someplace close to home, like HCC, or if he wanted, a junior college where he could play in 2009 and even upgrade his options without changing the two remaining years of eligibility he'd have. If Marve can get his AA degree, he could then go anywhere with two years to play. Marve could also walk on at a school for a year, though he'd had to make it into that school as a regular student, and coaches without a release couldn't talk directly to him about assurances of a scholarship down the road.

Anyway, Weiner said the Marves are seeking a school that will have a senior starting QB in 2009, setting up a wide-open competition for the 2010 starting nod. USF would definitely qualify, with Matt Grothe as as senior this fall. Assuming Grothe stays healthy, Marve would enter 2010 at USF with more college experience than B.J. Daniels or anyone else he would be challenging for the starting role. Weiner said USF is "certainly a possibility," though if he chose the loophole route, Florida would be in much the same position.

Weiner said Saturday that Marve had targeted 10-12 schools, and mentioned four by name: the Big 12's high-scoring Texas Tech and Oklahoma State, as well as Purdue and Syracuse. Geographically, none are close to the Marves' Tampa home, so it would seem to go against the family's public statements about Marve's father battling prostate cancer and a desire to have Robert closer to home.

Syracuse has a new coach in Doug Marrone, with a senior starter likely this fall in Andrew Robinson -- little competition to suggest Marve couldn't be a two-year starter for the Orange. Late this week, I've heard another school mentioned as a possibility -- no confirmation from Marve or the school yet -- but Cincinnati has been mentioned. The Bearcats, too, will have a senior starter in Tony Pike, with no backup with significant college experience. Cincinnati also has a quarters system (not semesters), so Marve would have more time to get to campus and still have the year in residency he'd need to be eligible to play in fall 2010.

So while it's still possible Marve could take an indirect route to a school like USF, it's also possible he could be lining up against the Bulls with a Big East rival in 2010.

Comments

[Al]

Mare has shown that he doesn't want to earn the starting job...he wants it guaranteed to him...otherwise he picks up his toys and goes home.

[JG]

Marve obviously isn't the smartest person but he can play. They always give kids scholarships they don't have a lick of sense. He did put himself, but Shannon was really immature about the restrictions, I must say. I'd like to see him at South Florida, its not like he would be given the starting job, he would have to earn it and if he does, then he does deserve to play. He wouldn't cause a distraction either, if they let one person with a bad attitude distract them, they shouldn't be playing there in the first place.

who cares where he goes...

[Steve O'Neal]

To Wiliam B. Did I spell that right, only 1 l? After all I was copying what you posted. You can spell my name anyway you choose, although the CORRECT way is O'Neal. But hey, you only had to "COPY" the way I spelled my name to get it right. That must have been a tad difficult for you. What kind of word is aren"t? Shouldn't that be an apostrophe, not a quotation mark? You assume too much, as I have never attended USF as a student. Does one have to be a student or alumni to be a fan and athletic booster of a university? Maybe you are an example of a SU student. In that case, Marve and his alleged academic shortcomings would be an ideal fit at SU. Next time you might want to check your own spelling before taking someone else to task on their spelling abilities. Run along now and do some homework. GO BULLS!

[Wiliam B.]

For Steve O'Neil. From your comment, I assume you go to USF? Hope you aren"t an English Major. What kind of word is LIEING? Just wondering. Hope he goes to SU so he can come home and "whoop up on the Bulls!"

[Greg Auman]

I don't know when their cut-off date is, but I'd imagine it might have already passed.

[Ken]

Don't see how he can go to HCC in the spring--two weeks is over already; third week starts Monday.

[Greg Auman]

I think he still has lots of options besides HCC.

[Sage1]

Interesting that perhaps his only option now is HCC. Seems to support the untold truth that the kid is academically ineligible so the number of schools willing to burn a scholarship on this kid is probably one or two and neither is anywhere close to Tampa. This further exposes the ploy by the kids father to say the kid wants to be closer to home because of family medical issues to try and give a measure of hope for an NCAA waiver for not having to sit a year after transfer is nothing but a moot point. If the kid was academically eligible there would be a lot more interest in this kid.
This is a kid with a lot of baggage and question regarding his character not to mention his on field ability was exposed at Miami.

"I went to HS w/ Marve and he's not a bad person. Just had a fallout at the U. A couple of dumb mistakes which weren't even serious," Justin

****************************************
Theodore Bundy wasn't a bad person either.

Robert Marve has been screwing up since he got to the U. He's appears to be a "the rules don't apply to me" type of guy and by the looks of it not willing to compete for the starting job.

BTW, Academics are a serious part of college.

[Greg Auman]

Who'd be the QB going into spring drills if not Robinson?

[JT (Atlanta)]

"...and he was starting those games for the U, while Jacory Harris was coming in after halftime so if Harris would've been starting, the stats probably would've been switched."

Worst. Logic. Ever.

[MacBolan]

Just to let you know. Andrew Robinson is not the returning starter for Syracuse. It is highly unlikely that he will ever play much again after starting 2 seasons ago. Cam Dantley (Adrian's kid) became the starter after the first game last season. Robinson saw little action and stunk up the joint when he did play. Syracuse might be a good place for this kid (Marve). They play indoors and Dantley was extremely inconsistent. They also have a couple of decent receivers and a big young offensive line that showed some promise.

[Ken]

"...just not PLAYING here in the fall" is what I meant. Thanks, Greg.

[Justin]

I went to HS w/ Marve and he's not a bad person. Just had a fallout at the U. A couple of dumb mistakes which weren't even serious, and he was starting those games for the U, while Jacory Harris was coming in after halftime so if Harris would've been starting, the stats probably would've been switched. Even if they are lying, Shannon was a little harsh on the restrictions. Seems like there was a personal grudge. I think they are looking beyond USF, and actually looking into what school would make him the better pro. I don't agree with that, because if you have the talent, it shouldn't matter. Marve has the talent and I could definitely see him at USF, and I think its the best choice for him, if he really wants to be the starter.

[David Weber]

If recruiting services are the end-all measure of a player, then BJ looks pretty darn good over at Rivals- 4 star, 4th best dual-threat QB! More importantly, in his sparse playing time, he showed a cannon of an arm, and on the basketball court, we see that he moves pretty well (just seems to lack a handle and a shot, meaning after this season, I think he'll be focusing on football).

[Greg Auman]

He could be at USF in the fall, just not playing in the fall.

[Carlos]

You all are sooo stupid....BJ was not even in the Espn 150 when he came out of highschool and you think he could beat out Robert?
I gaurrantee that if Bj played at UM this year he would not have been able to start over Robert or Jacory...he would barely be a walk-on
Robert don't go to USF, U are too good for them

[Ken]

He won't be here in the spring, which means only the hardship rule could have him here in the fall. Sounds pretty unlikely to me. The "want to be with my dad with cancer" story does sound more than a little bogus given the schools they're now considering.

[Windbane]

kb, Grothe didn't have to beat out Carlton Hill because Carlton Hill beat himself out.

[David Weber]

Eh. I don't care one way or the other. If he comes, the future depth chart will be set (and it looks like a problem- I don't think Landi, Marc, or Virgin are Big East caliber QBs). If not, we don't have to deal with the baggage.

For him, the best route seems to be HCC for the AA and then pick a school all over again (I still think he ends up at UCF, where he would likely win any competition).

[Bulliever]

Animosity...I hate the guy and his family...

I just went through cancer and needed my family every minute, every second of the day...So his announcement really pulled on my heart strings. Al, was telling me he and his family are just trying to pull a fast one and that his dad's cancer situation is a smoke screen...

Sorry Al for not believing you...

I can't believe that this family would pull the "cancer card" when they obviously don't care where he actually goes to school... Just not to FIU, FAU, USF or UCF... Pathetic!

I agree with most everyone here...We don't need liars and we don't need drama queens here at USF!

[Little Timmy]

BJ Daniels is the future QB for USF. I doubt Marve would want to compete with him.

[Mike Lakeland]

Perfectly said, Al. I don't want him because of his drama and off-field experiences. His first (second, I guess...) choice of school has no bearing on the fact that I would not want to see him become a Bull.

[Al]

Greg...I'm not negative about Marve because he chose Miami over USF. I'm very negative about him because of what he has proven himself to be. As I have said before, I will not continue to contribute to USF Football if USF gives Marve a scholarship.

[kb]

He did not come to USF out of HS because of competition with Grothe?

He leaves Miami because of competition with Harris?

A pattern is starting.

By the way, Grothe came in with C. Hill, who was the highest rated QB ever picked up by USF...Grothe wasn't scared and beat him out.

[CR]

The reason I dont want marve at USF is NOT because he didnt chose the Bulls out of HS, I can understand his reasons for it comprtition wise.The reasons I dont want him at USF is because I keep hearing about his off the field troubles (academics,bars,etc),then you hear about his dad's illness and wanting to be close to home. well if that was the REAL reason then USF would be aslam dunk, instead they kept crying about not having choices with UF etc and now we hear Oklahoma St,Purdue and Texas Tech are options.
Well my opinion is that he really doesnt want the Bulls, so go someplace else and take all the drama with you and hopefully he will get his act together.
I dont want a QB that is afraid of competition.
Go Bulls!!!!

[Steve O'Neal]

Why should such a "GREAT" player be afraid of competition? Too many questions about this guy.

[Larry in Lutz]

I say bring him on in...why all the bashing? Im sure he's realized that his window of opportunity is rapidly closing..has 1(or 2) strikes against him, and will mature/wise-up before he ends up like his Plant partner Mike Williams - where is he now?

[JT (Atlanta)]

GA,

My animosity towards the guy is more in-line with the reasons laid out by Steve O'Neal and cg. It's not what the kid chose two years ago, it's what his attitude has been since then.

[Sam Diaz]

Marve was going to get the chance to start right away at Miami while at USF he would most likely have had to wait 3 years to play after grothes stellar freshman year. It made sense from a career standpoint then. First, I am a huge grothe fan. So, it would be nice to see him get the nod to be the Qb his senior year if the competition with Marve was close. I agree with steve that the marves would come as big time liars if he did not come to usf. I think they are keeping all options open just in case USF is not keen on giving Marve every opportunity to win the starters spot over bj. Let's give them the benefit of a doubt until they announce if he is coming here or not.

[cg]

Yeah, my issue with him -if it really counts- is more about the manner they are going about this. Clearly the family thinks he is too great for USF, because if one school truly fit their story (illness/proximity) it is USF and that isn't what they want.

If he wanted to transfer here, he could have done it by now. He is a great talent, and I think he could do well here. But it is hard to praise a player who obviously doesn't want to be a Bull.

[RR]

USF doesn't need / want Marve.

[Steve O'Neal]

That may be the reason for some, but I stated my reasons above. I really hate being played or lied to.

[Steve O'Neal]

The whole "wanting to be near sick dad" story is BS. I don't fault the family for wanting the best situation for their kid. I do fault them for LIEING about it. For that reason alone I say forget him. I don't care how good he is, the lies speak volumes about his and his families character. If he ends up playing against us, big deal, just sack his sorry butt. GO BULLS!

[Greg Auman]

I think a lot of the initial animosity is basic "he didn't pick USF out of high school" sentiments.

I can remember seeing Marve at USF practices after Alabama changed coaches and he backed out of his commitment there. Again, Grothe had just finished a stellar freshman year, so you'd have to be very confident to specifically choose a school with a sophomore returning as a starter.

[Greg Auman]

If Marve were to come to USF -- or any other I-A school -- he would need a hardship waiver to be able to play this fall.

[Mike in Tally]

I used to think that Marve might work out well at USF, but I've never seen a player become so unpopular with a school's fanbase before even stepping foot on campus (maybe deservedly so). I now think that he should go somewhere else.

[Sam Diaz]

I agree with USF95 in the sense he could come in on scholarship right away and practice/ work out with the 2nd team for a year to establish himself as the star and starter for 2010 and 2011. If he is here for spring, could you imagine the battle for 2009 qb if he challenges grothe for the starters spot. This would make Marve and Grothe better , wait USF better. Grothe needs someone to push him and its not evan and bj from what I have heard. The publicity in the national eye would be through the roof and raise the profile of the school with top recruits and top flight transfers wanting a second chance. All good for USF on the field in the most pivotal position and our high school recruiting in the tampa bay area.

[USF95]

This kid and his father are head cases. He obviously isn't interested in USF so why bother with him. I don't think he could beat out BJ anyway and then he would cry on the sideline. USF is the absolute perfect situation since he could certainly apply for a hardship waiver to gain back 2009 eligibility because of his father's illness. He can't make that claim anywhere else. I just hope he doesn't come to USF because we don't need his ME first approach.

[Sam Diaz]

Great post Greg. Robert and Eugene and the rest of the nation following this story are going to pick this post up. So I will say... Marve if you are reading this come home to USF, and exact revenge on two-faced Shannon and UM, plus UF on the way to a BCS championship in 2010. Stay home, get it together, and take care of your dad. None of the schools mentioned will have the team usf will have in 2010.

[JT (Atlanta)]

Dear Robert,

Go to Florida and ride the bench behind Brantley the rest of your career.

Go to Syracuse and help in the process of disgracing their storied tradition.

Go to Purdue to be close to home. Heh.

Just don't come here!

[Mike Lakeland]

PLEASE NO!!!!!

[cg]

Funny how there are 10-12 schools worth discussing when you are supposedly leaving to be closer to home. Yeah, Tampa is just minutes away from upstate New York. Lubbock isn't that much further... I also love how they are trying to villify UM for the restrictions, but schools do this all the time and he did pretty much sign a contract... oh well. If you ask me, the approved options that fall in line with what they say they want are pretty darn good. A BCS conference school in Tampa that will need a QB in 2010 and a mid-major that could dominate their conference and pad his stats just down the road in Orlando...

But, as we all know, what they say they want and what they really do don't seem to match up.

[USFBullsBabe]

I agree with you, James. Marve is an excellent quarterback but the drama that seems to follow him will cast a shadow over my beloved Bulls. I'm pulling for B.J Daniels in '10 - he looks fantastic!!!

[James]

I think Marve is a great quarterback but comes with way too much baggage. I wish him luck at Syracuse or Cinci but we don't need to ruin the team chemistry at USF to make accomadations for an elitist type player. I think he would help our team but is not worth the "drama."