Remember the name Tucker Israel. The Florida quarterback is emerging as one of the top young QBs in his class.
Courtesy photo
still has some months to wait before he can drive, but that didn't stop
Lake Nona (Orlando, Fla.) coach Anthony Paradiso from handing Israel the keys to the team's offense in August. Just a few months out of middle school, Israel plopped into the driver's seat and accelerated Lake Nona's offense into high gear.
"That first game, I started getting in a rhythm. And I just flew through the season. I didn't have any roadblocks," said Israel, a 6-foot, 180-pound freshman.
Israel finished Lake Nona's 5-5 season with 2,924 passing yards, which ranks third nationally among freshman quarterbacks. That ranks first among freshmen in yards per game (292) and his 30 touchdown passes ranks third. Israel completed 61 percent of his 307 pass attempts and had 14 interceptions. He also ran for 245 yards and three rushing touchdowns.
The highlight of Israel's season, though, came on Oct. 13. In his sixth game as the team's starting quarterback, he set a
Florida state record and matched a national record for 11-man football with 10 touchdown passes in a single game. Israel finished with 534 passing yards in the lopsided 68-10 win against Celebration. Eight of the touchdown throws were in the first half, and sophomore
Ryan Sousa finished the game with five touchdown catches and 188 receiving yards. Israel had four incompletions, all dropped balls, according to Paradiso.
"I had all sorts of people calling me, texting and sending me messages on Facebook. It was wild," said Israel, whose feat earned him a highlight reel spot on the popular ESPN "Plays of the Week" segment and a mention on dozens of sports websites.
Paradiso responded to critics by pointing out that he wanted to give Israel a chance to set the record even though the game was far out of reach. After all, Paradiso has worked with about a dozen top quarterbacks, including five who earned Division I scholarships, during his coaching career, and none of them had come close to the record.
"I couldn't take away his chance at something like that," Paradiso said.
Although astonished by the feat, Paradiso already knew what he had in Israel.
"We knew from the first game that he was going to be something special. I just saw something a little different with him. It was his work ethic, skill and football IQ," said Paradiso.
Within a few weeks, Israel had surpassed even his coach's expectations.
"He's probably one of the top freshman quarterbacks in the nation right now," said Paradiso, who turned to Israel as the replacement for Lake Nona grad Kevin Sousa, a freshman at Wake Forest.
While only a freshman, Israel's football knowledge is off the charts, said Paradiso. Israel's cousin, Kyle, starred at the University of Central Florida, and his family sat in the stands with Kyle's family during most home games. Watching his cousin excel influenced Israel's desire to play quarterback, and he spent a full year preparing himself for the transition from fullback and linebacker in Pop Warner to quarterback in the high school game.
"He never took a snap, but he developed some skills and learned some things that a lot of kids his age don't have an opportunity to develop," said Paradiso.
Because Lake Nona's high school and middle school are on the same campus, Israel was able to spend a lot of his eighth-grade year watching the senior, Sousa, practice and play.
"He would always put himself around Kevin. They talked football and watched film, and Israel worked out with Kevin. That helped his development," said Paradiso.
Israel's work ethic also helped him make the transition.
"I had some doubts, but I erased the doubt by working hard. I had the determination and the drive to achieve my goal of becoming the varsity quarterback," Israel said.
Paradiso said Israel's inner drive played a large role in his decision to make him the starting quarterback. Israel committed himself to throwing, working out and practicing drills during the offseason.
Israel still wondered whether he would hear detractors talking about his size and appearance.
"I didn't really fit the description of a quarterback," said Israel. "I'm more of a Tim Tebow type. I look more like a linebacker. Plus, mechanically, I wasn't that sound."
Israel's mechanics have improved, and Paradiso said his accuracy and arm strength have improved, too. He also has leadership traits, added Paradiso.
Although Israel has turned a lot of heads, there was one area he could not address.
"His weakness is his physical development. He's not an 18-year-old kid. He's not as physically fast and as strong," Paradiso said. "But that will come in time."
Despite being a Floridian, Israel said he wants to play quarterback at the University of Alabama. Most of his family lives in Alabama, and he's been a Crimson Tide fan his whole life.
"If he works hard, I think he'll have the opportunity to do that," said Paradiso. "With his ability, he has a real chance to do something special over the next couple of seasons."
Israel hopes to help Lake Nona win a district championship during the 2012 season. A state championship berth also is on his wish list. Lake Nona missed the playoffs this season.
"We have a lot of kids coming back," said Israel. "We only had three seniors this year."
Paradiso is hopeful.
"I think we have a real chance to do something special for the next couple of seasons," he said.
