By JEFF D'ALESSIO
Florida Today

As a high school senior last season in Danville, Calif., Kyle Wright was considered by those in the know to be the nation's No. 1 quarterback prospect.

As a college freshman next season, Wright will try to earn another lofty distinction - No. 1 on the University of Miami depth chart.

To get a head start, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound John Elway fan finished up his high school courses in December and enrolled at Miami in January - a semester earlier than the rest of Larry Coker's 'Canes recruiting class. He'll compete for the starting QB job when spring drills start next week then head back home for a week for senior ball and graduation ceremonies.

We caught up with the top prospect in prep football, according to recruiting analyst Allen Wallace, to talk about competing for Ken Dorsey's old job, the recruiting process, surfing and more.

QUESTION: You're one of an increasing number of top prospects who decided to go ahead and enroll a semester early. Why?

ANSWER: Nowadays, everybody wants to play early and that's a big factor in kids' decisions. But being here at Miami, that's unrealistic coming in in July or August - to grasp not only the speed of the game but just the whole college football mentality and level. It's a different game. I knew coming in early would make the transition to college football easier - not only football-wise but school-wise.

Q: The only way you could have made this happen was to make a college choice early. Was that the plan all along?

A: Yeah. It was really hectic for me, being a top recruit. It was really busy. I was getting 10 phone calls a night. It was getting ridiculous. Plus, I wanted to concentrate on my senior season and school. Those were more important to me. And it all worked out. We went 13-0 and won the championship, and then I graduated with a 3.7.

Q: Not bad. Was the recruiting process overwhelming?

A: Sometimes, it gets to the extreme. But if you're smart about it, you don't believe all the stuff that these coaches tell you. You just take everything in stride. I wrote down the pros and cons of each school. I tried to take, I guess you could say, a proactive approach to it. It wasn't that overwhelming, but it got to be pretty crazy.

Q: When you did Miami's list, what did you have in the "pros" column?

A: Pretty much everything about it. The program speaks for itself. I'm a laid-back kind of guy and that's how the coaches are around here. They like to have fun, but when it comes down to it, you work hard and get things done. I liked the school. I liked that it's small. Not too many distractions on campus. And being surrounded by the best players is hard to pass up.

Q: What other schools did you visit?

A: My dad and I took unofficial trips to Miami, Florida State, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Texas.

Q: Do you expect to come in and compete for the starting quarterback job this spring?

A: I think if I just keep progressing like I am, all I can do is compete for it. Nothing's promised, but I think I have a legitimate shot of competing and getting in there a little bit.

Q: What famous quarterback do you most remind people of?

A: I've been compared to John Elway for athleticism, arm strength, stuff like that.

Q: Did you grow up a Miami fan?

A: Not at all. I was always a Florida State fan. Charlie Ward was my idol. I loved Charlie Ward. That was probably the offer that I was most excited about getting - the Florida State offer, just because I'd been such a fan for so long. I didn't really start liking Miami until I watched them play for the national championship. Saw how they played, what they bring to the table and the type of athletes they had running around.

Q: So why not FSU for you?

A: I just liked more here than there.

Q: Was Bobby Bowden's age much of a concern?

A: I asked him about it. He said, "As long as I'm feeling healthy, I'm going to be out here." God, what a great guy. That was fun, to talk to him. Just so full of wisdom. I could talk to him all afternoon.

Q: What do you do for fun when you're not playing football?

A: Play football.

Q: Good one.

A: Work out, throw routes. ... No, you know, I like to go out with my friends. Go to the beach. Watch movies. Play video games. I try to be as active as possible. I haven't gotten to fish down here, and I like to fish.

Q: How about your favorite quarterback?

A: Michael Vick. Wish I was Michael Vick. But I don't run a 4.2.

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E-mail Jeff D'Alessio at jdalessio@flatoday.net