Fever lands record setting quarterback
May 18, 2006 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Tri-Cities Fever News Release
The Tri-Cities Fever are pleased to announce that quarterback James McNear III will be joining the team this week. McNear just finished his college career this past fall at Concorida University of St. Paul, Minnesota. Concordia is a Division II school that competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), the same conference that Paris Moore played in when Minnesota-Morris competed at the Division II level.
James McNear may be one of the most decorated players to ever be signed by the Fever. His collegiate credentials are very impressive. In his four year starting career, McNear passed for 9,420 yards and 68 touchdowns. He also rushed for 3,027 yards and another 37 touchdowns. He is the first player in NCAA D-II history with at least 2,500 yards rushing and 8,000 yards passing. He was the first player in NCAA D-II history to have four seasons of at least 2,500 yards of total offense. McNear was the first player in NCAA D-II history to record a 300-yard passing and 200-yard rushing game. This impressive quarter back had 309 passing, and 215 rushing in the feat. McNear's college career was certainly one for the record books as he fell just 44 yards shy of the NCAA D-II career record for total offense. He finished with 12,447 yards. He holds 10 Concordia career and single game records.
For his efforts McNear was named NSIC "Offensive Player of the Year" twice (2005 and 2003), while being a four-time All-NSIC selection at quarterback. He was a two-time preseason All-American, was named All-American by Don Hansens Football Gazette, D2Football.com, and the CollegeSportsReport.com Division II All-American Special Mention. He guided the Concordia Golden Bear football team to a 33-12 overall record in his career with a 24-7 NSIC mark. He finished his career with a perfect 19-0 record at home at Griffin Stadium.
McNear was a candidate for the prestigious Harlon Hill Trophy (the Division II Heisman) in 2005, finishing in the top five in voting. Concordia Head Coach Mark Mauer on James McNear:
"James McNear is one of the most versatile quarterbacks to have ever played college football. His ability to throw as well as run the ball is second to none. James has literally put Concordia on the map in his four years. He has elevated this program to the point where opponents recognize that Concordia is a regional and national factor. He is one of the finest athletes that I have had the opportunity to coach."
Head Coach Dan Whitsett says that he has been following McNear's career since he saw him in a game during his freshman season. "I saw this wiry freshman quarterback that was doing things that I hadn't seen much of at the time," said Whitsett. "I remember thinking to myself that this kid is just going to get nothing but better and he is pretty special right now." McNear was named All-Divisions, Division II, and NSIC "Freshman of the Year" after that first season. "I have been talking to James for a while now that it looked like the NFL and CFL were going to get him first, but the Seahawks are very interested and his agent really liked the idea of James being out here where they could keep an eye on him," said Whitsett. Whitsett says that James is 6'2", but only weighs 180 pounds and that has been the biggest concern with NFL scouts. "You know the NFL has prototypes and if you don't fit them then it is very difficult to get that chance to begin with."
Does this mean there will be a quarterback controversy in Fever land? Whitsett quickly put out any thought of that happening. "Joe Wiser is our starting quarterback. He is our guy until there is reason for him not to be. James will come in here and have to learn the indoor game while backing up Joe. I think that it is a good situation for everybody involved."
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