Two-sport star has high hopes

• USA TODAY preseason Super 25 players
• USA TODAY Super 25 rankings
• Regional rankings

By José Alfredo Flores, USA TODAY

Bradenton (Fla.) Southeast prep star Adrian McPherson, a 6-4, 185-pound all-state quarterback and all-state guard in basketball, is following in the footsteps of Southeast High's other famed multisport athlete — Cincinnati Bengals rookie Peter Warrick.

Although some say McPherson is playing under the shadow of Warrick, the former Florida State star says otherwise.

"He's better than I was (in high school). He can do it all," Warrick says. "Now he's got to take charge and not be like Peter Warrick, be like AD (Adrian's nickname)."

Warrick, in his junior (1993-94) and senior years, led Bradenton's football and basketball teams to back-to-back state championships. His teams went undefeated his senior year in games he played, and he also won the long jump in the state track and field meet.

"This guy (Warrick) has been where I am trying to go," says McPherson, who threw for a school-record 2,452 yards and 33 touchdowns last season. "He and I have a great relationship. He gives me tips on what to expect out there."

Out there is the almost certain stardom he will reach at the numerous NCAA Division I schools recruiting him, including Miami (Fla.), Georgia Tech, North Carolina, LSU, Ohio State and Michigan State. Most schools are looking to bring in McPherson for football after his performance at the Elite 11 summer camp, where 11 of the top returning high school quarterbacks participated.

But McPherson, who averaged 33.8 points a game and scored a school-record 56 points in a basketball game as a junior, would like to try his hand at playing both sports in college.

"I know what I'm capable of," he says. "I'll work as hard as I can and see where it takes me."

Bradenton football coach Paul Maechtle agrees, saying, "He'll have to continue to work harder to be better. There are more big fish in the pond in college snapping at his ankle.

"He'll certainly have to manage his time better . It's a lot harder than in high school. But he certainly has the tools to do it. Everything seems to come to him, and things flow from him."

College coaches have been impressed with McPherson's mobility in the pocket, his ability to escape pass rushers and his arm strength.

"I've never seen anyone like him," says Bradenton wide receiver Jawarski Pollock, who has known McPherson since grade school. "I always knew he would be special."

Contributing: Ken Gordon