Storey Gets Head Start On College Career

 Staff Photo ANDY SHUPE Ty Storey, Arkansas quarterback, speaks to members of the media Monday during a news conference ahead of the Razorbacks’ Dec. 29 bowl game with Texas in Houston. Storey has signed financial aid documents, enrolled early and is taking part in on-campus practices.
Staff Photo ANDY SHUPE Ty Storey, Arkansas quarterback, speaks to members of the media Monday during a news conference ahead of the Razorbacks’ Dec. 29 bowl game with Texas in Houston. Storey has signed financial aid documents, enrolled early and is taking part in on-campus practices.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Former Charleston quarterback Ty Storey has rarely taken a snap from under center since seventh grade.

He hasn't been in an offensive huddle over that time, either.

Storey-Book Ending

Ty Storey completed a storybook career in Charleston in December by leading the Tigers to their second straight Class 3A state title. Storey enrolled at Arkansas at mid-term and participated in his first practice with the Razorbacks this week.

Here are Storey’s offensive statistics for the 2014 season:

Game^PC^PA^Yards^TD

Shiloh Christian^23^36^225^5

Gentry^11^13^163^3

Ozark^22^33^299^4

Danville^38^52^402^6

Paris^23^41^413^3

Two Rivers^12^24^204^1

Lamar^32^51^362^5

Lavaca^20^27^344^4

Booneville^23^27^390^5

Mansfield^15^17^237^2

Fouke*^7^13^135^4

Osceola*^26^37^402^7

Booneville*^17^36^368^1

Smackover*^24^38^218^3

Totals^293^408^4162^53

So there have been some fundamental differences for the record-setting player to adjust to during his first few Arkansas practices.

"That was definitely a challenge at first," said Storey, who led the Tigers to back-to-back state championships in a shotgun, no-huddle offense. "I worked on it a little bit after practice (last) Saturday. I feel a lot more comfortable with it now. I'm still working on it obviously, but I'm starting to get more comfortable."

There's no better time to get acclimated as Arkansas (6-6) continues its preparation for Texas (6-6) in the Texas Bowl on Monday. The Razorbacks may be putting the finishing touches on their on-campus work before leaving for Houston on Dec. 26, but have been looking to the future as well with Storey's arrival.

He's one of two new players getting a head start on their college career by taking advantage of NCAA rules that permit them to be with the Hogs the next few days. Storey and offensive lineman Zach Rogers both signed financial aid agreements earlier this fall and have finished their high school coursework. So both are getting a crash course in Arkansas' offense before enrolling in classes full-time next month.

It has been a whirlwind in particular for Storey, who is the only newcomer practicing because Rogers is still recovering from a broken ankle. He led Charleston to the Class 3A state championship on Dec. 12. He finished his final high school test on Dec. 18m and was in Arkansas practice gear and throwing passes two days later.

"I definitely will miss the guys back home, some of my friends and family back home, but I don't think I could do it any other way," Storey said. "I was just ready to get here and move on with my career and try to make me a better football player and I think this was the best opportunity for me. ...

"It has been a quick transition, but a cool transition."

Storey is one of the top prospects in Arkansas' 2015 recruiting class after throwing for 12,856 yards and 154 touchdowns during his Charleston career.

It included 4,162 yards and 53 touchdowns as a senior. He led the Tigers to a 14-0 record this past season, capping his high school career with a last-minute touchdown drive in the 3A state championship game against Smackover.

Arkansas offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said last week it was good to see Storey perform at a "high level" to lead his team to come-from-behind wins in both the 3A semifinals and championship game. Storey isn't expected to step on campus and compete for the starting job right away with Brandon Allen returning for his senior season, but the Hogs were eager to get Storey on campus for some introductory work at a position that includes Austin Allen and Rafe Peavey.

"Any time you bring new players into your program you're excited about seeing them play," Chaney said.

Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said Storey hasn't disappointed after three practices.

It was obvious to the staff Storey wasn't used to being under center, but Bielema said he quickly has improved after a few days of work. Bielema said his leadership ability was clear, too, after watching Storey step into the huddle the first time.

Bielema said Storey, whose father Shane Storey was a longtime high school coach, wrapped his left arm around one receiver. Then he wrapped his right arm around another before calling out the play and leading the offense to the line of scrimmage for the next snap.

"He just went in the huddle like he owned it," Bielema said. "That stuff is born in him. That was an innate quality he just walked in with that's pretty fun to watch."

Arkansas is feeding Storey snaps when it can. The first priority is preparing for Texas, but Bielema said Storey shared snaps with Peavey during a practice limited to the program's developmental players last Saturday.

Storey admitted he felt some anxiety before his initial work as he got acclimated to the new surroundings, but the feeling disappeared the longer he was on the field. He's getting used to lining up under center. And huddling up after every play.

"We never huddled in high school so that is something totally new to me," Storey said. "It was different, kind of slows it down, let's you catch your breath a little bit."

He'll continue to learn until the team leaves for Houston. Storey then plans to return to Charleston to spend the holidays with his family.

Story will be back at Arkansas for classes next month and is scheduled to participate in spring practices. The Razorbacks are preparing to have four other high school prospects who have signed financial aid agreements and plan to enroll in January -- Rogers, Fort Smith Northside defensive lineman Daytrieon Dean, Dumas tight end Will Gragg and defensive lineman Hjalte Froholdt -- join him.

"It's definitely a great jump start so I don't have to come in during the spring and start all over," Storey said about this month's work with the Razorbacks. "It's good to just get these few practices in to get used to everybody around me and all this. This is a lot different for me, but fun to look forward to."

Sports on 12/24/2014

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