Highlands Donovan McCoy won't play college football

**Strikeout King** · 02-10-2013, 05:56 PM

Though he started for only his senior year, he was named first-team All-State quarterback.

He led his team to the Class 4A state football championship.

His numbers were outstanding: he passed for 2,769 yards and 32 touchdowns while running for 1,144 yards and another 22 touchdowns.

But Donovan McCoy won't be playing college football this coming fall. Instead he'll be putting all of his energy into academic endeavors.

McCoy, who has a 4.4 GPA at Highlands (Fort Thomas, Ky.) and scored a 34 on the ACT, told the Cincinnati Enquirer, "Up to the end of the season, I thought I was wanting to play and looking for a place to play but I have reached a point where I have gotten what I need out of football. I've played for 12 years and I'm 18 years old and my body has been to **** and back. I still love the game of football ... but as a player it's just something I'm ready to move on from."

http://www.maxpreps.com/blogs/maxwire-na...ollege.htm

**panther nation** · 02-10-2013, 06:22 PM

Wow!! This is a very smart kid, he know when his body has had enough and he also knows that there is more to life than sports. Wish him the very best of luck with whatever he does in life cause he will go far.

birdman44 · 02-10-2013, 06:32 PM

Yes, smart. But 20 years from now he might be thinking what if and have some regrets.
But the kid did finish on top. I think he could be a D1 wide receiver.

**Real Badman** · 02-10-2013, 07:32 PM

The college game isn't for everybody in different aspects. He realized what's important to him and he is going after it. Kudos.

**Spirit100** · 02-10-2013, 09:24 PM

Congrats to Donovan, and his family...certain he'll continue to be an "academic force" to be reckoned with in college!

He'll receive a full academic scholarship if he selects an instate university. Way to bust hump in the classroom allowing for more opportunities for future success and providing a great example for others.

:Thumbs:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130...ck_check=1

**PaintsvilleTigerfan** · 02-10-2013, 09:41 PM

I guess he knows he has a scholly and doesnt want to risk his body for no real reason.

**Spirit100** · 02-10-2013, 09:54 PM

After playing football for 12 years and 4 state titles in HS I think a lot of folks would be at peace with walking away if they earned a similar opportunity academically.

**Real Badman** · 02-10-2013, 10:28 PM

Spirit100 Wrote:Congrats to Donovan, and his family...certain he'll continue to be an "academic force" to be reckoned with in college!

He'll receive a full academic scholarship if he selects an instate university. Way to bust hump in the classroom allowing for more opportunities for future success and providing a great example for others.

:Thumbs:

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130...ck_check=1

With grades like that, I'd be expecting an Ivy League school.

**RunItUpTheGut** · 02-10-2013, 10:35 PM

Dont blame him a bit.
To be honest, going to a smaller school like an NAIA just isnt worth it the majority of the time.

birdman44 · 02-10-2013, 11:32 PM

yeah, i get it. but you only have that small window to play the game you love at that level. you can always go to that small school and major in history and then go get your masters in something else when your football career is over.

I had a good buddy that was pretty good at basketball in high school and got straight As and all that. went to a small school to play basketball for four years and then went to dental school at UK and now banks it. so you can have you cake and eat it too.

I would find it hard to believe that he doesnt love playing.

TheNewBallCoach · 02-11-2013, 04:12 AM

Young man following his dreams! Kudos!

**toussaints** · 02-11-2013, 11:15 AM

University of Louisville's Speed School

Good luck Donovan

Ricky Bobby · 02-11-2013, 09:41 PM

Wow,I wish the best for him. It will be too bad for fans because he was fantastic to watch,he could definitely play for someone.

DALE · 02-11-2013, 09:50 PM

I started my engineering career at UofL's Speed School prior to transferring to UK to complete my degree. Not sure if they got their ABET accreditation at the Bachelor's level, but no other school in the state can provide an aspiring student with a complete year of work experience, with pay, and an accredited Master's degree in 5 years. This program is very demanding and also offers a wide variety of disciplines for one to choose from. There are also numerous resources at their finger tips to assure everyone who applies themselves has the opportunity to succeed. I spent countless hours in the math lab to learn Calculus and very few students that enter this program play sanctioned athletics. One student that I aided in my time down there is current Baltimore Raven's running back Anthony Allen prior to him transferring to Ga Tech. Kinda nice looking back on it to know that I helped a Super Bowl Champion. Once anyone passes their Gen Eds and four Calc courses, it is smooth sailing because the class sizes shrink drastically and all your focus turns towards your major. If I can give him two pieces of advice they would be to make friends as soon you step on campus to ease the transition and have study groups to help you grasp the material quicker. The other would be to take a class in Greek Mythology as it allows you to become a more critical thinker and that will carry over in all your other classes. Best of luck to this young man as he directs his attention towards his academic future.

charlie22 · 02-12-2013, 05:43 AM

birdman44 Wrote:Yes, smart. But 20 years from now he might be thinking what if and have some regrets.
But the kid did finish on top. I think he could be a D1 wide receiver.

Make what you think is the best decision at the time and never look back. I advised both of my sons not to play college ball because of the additional wear and tear on the body (and trust me, it's much greater in college than it was in high school) and because of all the things I missed due to the time required to play college football. If you go to a challenging college academically and play sports, something has to give. For me it was the opportunity to get involved in other extra curricular activities.

Frankly I fully understand Donovan's choice.

Great young man and one heck of a leader. This kid will do great things with his life and is someone whom I think will be a great contributor to society and his community in his adult life.

Best of luck to Donovan and many thanks for his numerous contributions to Highlands and its football program.

papagrit · 02-12-2013, 10:56 AM

Who knows what the kid might decide when he gets to the college he decides upon. He might make friends with some of the players and decide to go back out if he does truly miss it. For right now he took football off the table and a tip of the hat to him for it. I've got one playing division III right now at an academically challenging school and he is loving it. He hits the books hard and manages his time as effectively as possible. (Heck of lot better than I did) It can be done. This spring he has loaded up his schedule with the time eater classes like Metals shop class(projects), CAD(projects), Calc III, Physics II and two more classes so he isn't bogged down in the fall during the season. He went to the DIII school to play football and for the great academics. Good luck to Mr. McCoy on lifes endeavors.