Hey, I warned you!!!!
<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>Cajuns land commitment from Hundley</span>
Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com
LAFAYETTE - After all of the recruiting wars, the endless phone calls and the constant questions, it came down to one simple fact for John Hundley.
"I just wanted to play here," said the highly-recruited St. Thomas More quarterback. "I like Lafayette, and I decided that's where I wanted to play."
Hundley, one of the South's top quarterback prospects and Louisiana's number one pro-style quarterback in most scouting services, gave University of Louisiana head coach Rickey Bustle a verbal commitment Monday.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Hundley is the Ragin' Cajuns' 15th verbal pledge for the 2005 recruiting class, but is easily the most high-profile commitment and single-handedly brought notoriety to the class with a month remaining before national signing day.
"It really wasn't that difficult a decision," said Hundley. "I like the coaching staff there a lot, I've gotten real close to coach Christophel (Cajun offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Rob Christophel), and it's easy for my family to come and see me play."
Hundley is ranked No. 1 in Louisiana and No. 28 nationally on the Rivals.com recruiting service listings of "pro-style" quarterbacks. The only other state quarterback listed among Rivals.com's national top 60 signalcallers is East St. John standout and Texas commitment Ryan Perrilloux, whom the service ranks No. 1 among "dual-threat" quarterbacks.
But St. Thomas More coach Jim Hightower said Hundley's running ability doesn't get the credit it deserves.
"He's obviously got the size, the great arm and the throwing touch," said Hightower. "But he's got nimbleness and awareness in the pocket, and he's got escapability that might not be apparent on first viewing. He's a very capable runner who moves around well, and he's really a big, strong guy."
Hundley completed 142-of-249 passes for 1,845 yards and 24 touchdowns with only seven interceptions as a senior. He also rushed for 512 yards on 97 carries and scored five rushing touchdowns for the Cougars.
"He became much more of an all-around quarterback this year," Hightower said. "Last year he was thrown into something that he wasn't quite ready for, but he grew into the job and from the off-season on he never stopped working hard to make himself better and prepare himself for this season."
Hundley helped lead STM to a 9-1 regular season mark, winning nine straight after a season-opening loss to Carencro. The Cougars then won three playoff games, setting a school record with 12 straight wins, before falling to crosstown rival Northside in overtime in the Class 4A semifinals. STM had beaten Northside in the final week of the regular season to claim the District 5-4A title.
"It was a really good year for us," Hundley said. "We were obviously disappointed with how it ended, but it was really the most fun I've ever had."
Hundley earned Class 4A All-State, 5-4A All-District and the Daily Advertiser's All-Parish and All-Acadiana honors at quarterback.
"He's very much a competitor," Hightower said. "His preparation was always good, he's very studious about the game and his maturity was obvious this year. He likes a challenge, and he certainly answered the challenges of the season for us."
Hundley said that the only other serious consideration he gave to another school was at Ole Miss, and that interest disappeared after the Rebels fired head coach David Cutcliffe and his staff.
"I talked to the old Ole Miss staff every week and I went up to their camp," he said. "But I pretty much realized I didn't want to leave home. I talked to one of their coaches on a Monday, and the next day I read that they'd gotten fired. It kind of helped my decision, because ever since they offered me I wanted to go there. I just didn't want to make a quick decision."
Hundley follows another STM product into the Cajuns' signalcaller slot, with former Cougar star Jerry Babb a two-year starter at quarterback and already ranking among UL's career passing leaders entering his junior season in 2005. Matt Lane, another former STM quarterback, just finished his eligibility with the Cajuns in 2004.
"I didn't really talk to Jerry much," Hundley said, "but I know what kind of job he's done there and hopefully I can do the same. I think it says a lot about the STM program ... coaches are always saying how well-coached and prepared we are."
"They're different," Hightower said of Babb and Hundley, "but they're both good leaders.
"We've always felt good about our guys over there, especially since coach Bustle and his guys have been there. Our kids come back and have nothing but good things to say. It's our local university, and I'm excited about what's happening there and glad to be a part of it."
Hundley said that the Cajun staff didn't make any promises of early playing time, but didn't rule out any possibilities.
"They just told me that they want me to compete once I get there," he said, "and see how things go, whether I should redshirt or not. But I'm excited about it. I think they're really close to turning the corner, and I would really like to be a part of that."
Originally published January 11, 2005
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