Cowboy Quarterback Trying to Rope a Full Ride
Medium-sized Union High in Roosevelt hasn't been a destination for college football recruiters the past 20 years or so, mainly because the Cougars haven't been all that good at the sport, and also because it is seemingly in the middle of nowhere.
A quarterback with a poet's name and a cowboy's toughness -- Rhen Richard -- is changing that this year.
The senior is so skilled that he can go to any college he wants to -- provided it has a rodeo program.
After winning the national all-around cowboy title as a junior at last year's National High School Finals Rodeo, Richard (pronounced: riCHARD) is one of the most sought-after athletes in the country.
Trouble is, he wants to play football.
"It's what I love the most," he told The Recruiting Trail on Friday afternoon while making the long bus ride from Roosevelt to Park City for a game against the Miners Friday night.
Richard, who completed 15 of 25 passes for 340 yards and five touchdowns in a 42-8 win over Grantsville last week, said he has received offers from Southern Utah University and Snow College.
His father played college football with SUU coach Wes Meier.
However, Richard has talked to coaches from Utah, Colorado, Louisiana State, Boise State, Idaho State and BYU.
His father is friends with BYU strength coach Jay Omer and Rhen's good friend, Judge Memorial's Lewis Walker, has been offered by Utah and Colorado.
The big schools have all told him the same thing: We want to see how you do your senior year before we offer anything.
"I would like to go to Utah, but I kind of want a scholarship. I don't want to walk on anywhere," he said.
With the rodeo ride to fall back on, who can blame him?
Richard really turned heads last spring when he attended a skills camp at Judge Memorial. He had a fractured thumb from rodeo and couldn't throw a tight spiral, but showed recruiters his speed and athleticism when he switched over to receiver.
A lot of schools are recruiting him as a safety.
"I've told them I will play anywhere they want me to play," he said.
Richard hasn't played much defense this high school season because he hurt his shoulder in Union's first game. The injury caused him to miss most of the second game, but he said he is almost completely recovered.
"I am at full strength now," he said. "I have to be."
After all, a lot of coaches are making some long drives to watch him play.
A quarterback with a poet's name and a cowboy's toughness -- Rhen Richard -- is changing that this year.
The senior is so skilled that he can go to any college he wants to -- provided it has a rodeo program.
After winning the national all-around cowboy title as a junior at last year's National High School Finals Rodeo, Richard (pronounced: riCHARD) is one of the most sought-after athletes in the country.
Trouble is, he wants to play football.
"It's what I love the most," he told The Recruiting Trail on Friday afternoon while making the long bus ride from Roosevelt to Park City for a game against the Miners Friday night.
Richard, who completed 15 of 25 passes for 340 yards and five touchdowns in a 42-8 win over Grantsville last week, said he has received offers from Southern Utah University and Snow College.
His father played college football with SUU coach Wes Meier.
However, Richard has talked to coaches from Utah, Colorado, Louisiana State, Boise State, Idaho State and BYU.
His father is friends with BYU strength coach Jay Omer and Rhen's good friend, Judge Memorial's Lewis Walker, has been offered by Utah and Colorado.
The big schools have all told him the same thing: We want to see how you do your senior year before we offer anything.
"I would like to go to Utah, but I kind of want a scholarship. I don't want to walk on anywhere," he said.
With the rodeo ride to fall back on, who can blame him?
Richard really turned heads last spring when he attended a skills camp at Judge Memorial. He had a fractured thumb from rodeo and couldn't throw a tight spiral, but showed recruiters his speed and athleticism when he switched over to receiver.
A lot of schools are recruiting him as a safety.
"I've told them I will play anywhere they want me to play," he said.
Richard hasn't played much defense this high school season because he hurt his shoulder in Union's first game. The injury caused him to miss most of the second game, but he said he is almost completely recovered.
"I am at full strength now," he said. "I have to be."
After all, a lot of coaches are making some long drives to watch him play.
2 Comments:
Rhen is a great defensive player as well as a QB with great instincts. I feel he could be a great safety and would urge Utah to offer He isn't plying on defense this year because of the injury in the second game but should be 100% soon. Gordie Harmston U of U 1966
Oh, come on, 20 years? It hasn't been that long. ;) The Utes picked up a few players in the 1993 (state championship team) - 1995 seasons (Kevin Wilson, Sam White) and we still claim that Brandon Dart came from Union :D
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