By Bill Dickens
MaxPreps.com
Quarterback Tanner Rust had plenty of choices. He was most impressed by the manner in which New Mexico State University recruited him. The Aggies new staff used a straightforward approach to woo the strong-armed passer out of Lakeside’s El Capitan.
Rust remembers checking his telephone voicemail one evening when he heard an unfamiliar voice that would change his future.
The caller leaving that message was New Mexico State’s DeWayne Walker, who only four weeks earlier had been named head football coach of the Aggies.
“He asked me if I wanted a scholarship,” Rust recalled. “Yeah, I was completely taken by surprise when I heard that message. I guess they liked the films I sent them.”
Walker, UCLA’s defensive coordinator a season ago, has added former Washington State offensive coordinator Timm Rosenbach to his staff. A former No. 1 draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals, Rosenbach played five seasons as a professional quarterback with the Cardinals, New Orleans Saints and the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger Cats before injuries ended his career.
“They brought four coaches to my house for a visit,” said Rust of the Western Athletic Conference braintrust. “It was impressive to have that kind of attention. I can’t wait to work with coach Rosenbach.”
Rust did receive similar consideration from San Jose State, which sent head coach Dick Tomey to his Lakeside home.
But the Aggies left their positive mark and Rust said he cannot wait to face a WAC lineup that includes Boise State, Hawaii, Texas Christian University, Utah State, Nevada, Fresno State, Louisiana Tech, and Idaho.
More than that, though, is the New Mexico State schedule includes a meeting with Ohio State on Oct. 31 in Columbus.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Rust is the blue-chip quarterback recruit sought by the Aggies, who also have three redshirt freshmen and a JC transfer returning from last year’s 3-9 team.
San Diego State made a scholarship pitch to Rust last year, but he did not bite. That initial bait came from then Aztecs coach Chuck Long who has since been dismissed and replaced by Brady Hoke.
Had Rust accepted Long’s bid he would more than likely have spent the 2009 season as a backup to his former El Capitan teammate, Ryan Lindley.
In his first year at SDSU Lindley turned in one of the most impressive freshman campaigns in the nation as he finished second in the Mountain West Conference in passing average per game (241.2 yards) and was third in total offense (2,591). He set an SDSU Aztec freshman record for pass completions in a single-outing (35), which is also good enough for a tie for third in the SDSU single-game record book. Lindley passed for 2,653 yards, converting on 242-of-427 (56.7 percent) attempts in his freshman season.
Although he did not say so, Rust no doubt did not want to lurk in Lindley’s shadow as he did in his high school days.
Other schools might have attempted to recruit Rust’s rocket passing arm – 5,884 yards, 60 TDs, 359 completions in 677 attempts in two seasons – had he not maintained a keen interest in baseball.
Bottom line is baseball could still be Rust’s track to the future.
New Mexico State has agreed to allow Rust to play baseball in addition to football. That might not be enough, although the Aggies posted a 28-33 record on the diamond a year ago.
Cal State-Fullerton, UCLA and USD remain on Rust’s trail, hoping to make him a full-time baseball player. Rust batted .410 as a junior catcher and .404 as a sophomore shortstop.
As a Division I quarterback, he may not have that choice.
“It takes a lot of time in the off-season to be a big-time college quarterback,” El Capitan football coach Ron Burner said. “So obviously Tanner will eventually have to make a choice.”
Not to be overlooked is the June professional baseball draft. No question Rust will attract attention from the pro scouts.
“Right now I’m thinking about being a college quarterback,” Rust admitted. “But, at the same time, I want to enjoy my last year of high school baseball.”
Tanner Rust at a Glance
School: El Capitan High
Size: 6-3, 190
Position: Quarterback
College: New Mexico State
Birthdate: Aug. 3, 1990
Birthplace: Lakeside
Other Sports: Baseball
Nickname: Papelbon
Favorites
Athlete: Tom Brady
Pro Team: Dallas Cowboys
Musical group: AC/DC
Actor: Will Ferrell
Actress: Jessica Alba
Sports movie: Remember the Titans
Book: “The Life You Imagine” by Derek Jeter
TV Show: Baseball Tonight
Pregame meal: Turkey sandwich from the Grinder
Dreams
Job: Professional athlete
Car: Lamborghini
Person to meet: Mickey Mantle
