Q&A WITH: TRI-CITIES' TRAY RUTLAND
'I'm trying to have fun and be the best that I can be'
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/30/04
Tray Rutland is the starting quarterback at Tri-Cities High. After transferring to the East Point school last year from Southwest DeKalb, he took over the starting role after the second game. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound senior has received scholarship offers from Mississippi State, Ohio State, Bowling Green, Kentucky, Tennessee, Clemson, Alabama and North Carolina. Rutland talked with staff writer Derrick Mahone recently about fitting in at Tri-Cities, recruiting and participating in passing leagues.
Q: How comfortable are you now with the system at Tri-Cities?
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A: I'm very comfortable. Last year, it was a little slow because I was worried about the guy in front of me. I wasn't really comfortable last year because I was trying to beat the guy out in front of me. The reads in our system are so easy.
Q: How different is the system at Southwest DeKalb from the one at Tri-Cities?
A: Southwest was 80 percent running and 20 percent passing. Tri-Cities is a big step up. This is what I have to get used to for college in passing the rock.
Q: With the graduation of Kristan Davis (now at Auburn) and RaMarcus Brown (now at Georgia), how much pressure does that put on you coming into the season?
A: They were some big guys for us, but there is no added pressure. We have athletes coming to this school every year. It is a matter of who will step up. It will come down to who wants to play the most.
Q: How would you evaluate the way you have played so far this summer?
A: I am almost at the top of my game. This is my senior year of high school, and I'm basically trying to show out. I'm trying to have fun and be the best that I can be. I want to end my career on a good note.
Q: Do you find these passing leagues and camps to be beneficial?
A: Nothing in football is a waste of time. Everything is geared toward getting you better. Football is a sport that prepares you for life.
Q: How is recruiting going with you?
A: Everybody is coming at me real hard. I am just trying to lay low until the time comes for me to make my decision. Hopefully by October I will evaluate where I want to go.
Q: What kind of advantage do you think you have by being a left-handed quarterback?
A: I have been a passer since the eighth grade. Being a lefty is real special. I think God made me that way for a reason. A lot of people compare me to Michael Vick, but I don't want to be Michael Vick. He is the man, and everybody loves Michael Vick. I don't too much want to be compared to Michael Vick because my name is Tray Rutland. I see myself as being like him, but not him.
