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Midwest Recruiting Blog - ESPN

Versatile Derby sorting through offers

Friday, March 6, 2009
Posted by Bill Kurelic

Quarterback A.J. Derby (Iowa City, Iowa/Iowa City) is an outstanding athlete and one of the top quarterback prospects in the Midwest. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Derby is a key member of the Iowa City football, baseball and basketball teams.

"He's a very versatile athlete," Iowa City coach Dan Sabers said. "He has great savvy. He'll do anything you ask him to do."

On the gridiron Derby started at both wide receiver and free safety during his sophomore season. He moved to quarterback his junior season, but also played some wide receiver, free safety, returned punts and kickoffs and did his team's punting.

Derby, who threw for 1,200 yards and rushed for 1,100, has scholarship offers from Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Alabama, Stanford, Cincinnati, Kansas, Florida State and Nebraska.

"All of them offered me as a quarterback," Derby said. "I'm not close to deciding. I plan to wait and take official visits."

Derby has been to junior days at Iowa and Nebraska. He plans to go to some spring practices and games, but doesn't have anything definite set at this point.