Teenager Whaley the talk of Texas
Bermuda’s Devwah Whaley has been tipped for college football stardom after being offered a scholarship by the University of Houston at just 15.Despite having never played a varsity game, Whaley has been earmarked as a player with huge potential by Tobey Foreman, the head coach of Central High School in Texas.Last season Whaley showed promise as a quarterback for Central’s freshman team while also shining in track and field as one of the state’s top triple jumpers.A unique blend of power, speed and intelligence makes Whaley a very special talent, according to Foreman, who previously coached two-time Pro Bowler Earl Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks."I've never had a freshman that looked like him. His potential, in my opinion, is unlimited,” said Foreman."I've never had a kid get offered (a scholarship) at that young of an age and I coached a first-round draft pick, two-time Pro Bowler (Thomas)."I've been around (Whaley) enough to know he's got something special within him. He doesn't like to get outworked, whether it's in the weight room, on the track or on the field.“When you have a kid that combines ability with that work ethic, then you have somebody that can do some special things if he stays focused."Whaley, who was spotted by University of Houston coaches at a camp last month, has not yet accepted their offer.He has also attended practice sessions at Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech.While Foreman has warned against putting too much pressure on Whaley’s young shoulders, he believes the teenager could become a formidable force in both defence and offence."You try not to put too much on a sophomore, but he's not your normal sophomore," Foreman said."I would imagine he'll be on both sides of the ball.""A guy like that has to be on the field — I just don't know where yet. He could play in about five or six different positions. I just know that I have to get him the ball."Whaley said he was committed to helping Central reach the play-offs after missing out last season. "I'm looking forward to playing with my team and becoming more of a team," said the youngster, who formerly attended Sandys Middle School. "We want to become a winning programme."I just want to thank God for everything. He's given me a natural ability, a talent."His father, Devoe Whaley, expects there to be more scholarship offers in the pipeline for his son.“This is just an offer and there will be many more offers so he will have to decide whether to attend the University of Houston or somewhere else,” Whaley told The Royal Gazette.“It’s too early to decide at this point — it would not be wise to accept this early. But it shows his talent was noticed during a football camp and the University wanted him to know at this point he’s worthy of a scholarship with them if he so chooses.”