Greg Ruff patiently waiting for a Division I chance

Greg Ruff is South Pointe’s quarterback, but it’s well over 2 minutes into his regular season Hudl highlight tape before he throws a pass.

That is intended. At 5-foot-9, Ruff just won’t get a shot at playing quarterback in high level NCAA football.

Instead of the deluge of touchdown bombs that Ruff has chucked the last two seasons, the highlight video - being shared digitally with college coaches nationwide - showcases his ability to run in open field. Ruff skitters away from defenders like somebody’s older brother playing all-time QB in the backyard with a bunch of little kids. He tip-toes down sidelines, drops his hips, stiff-arm jabs a tackler, anything to keep a play alive or reach the end zone.

His movements remind South Pointe coach Strait Herron of another elusive Stallion quarterback, Stephon Gilmore.

“I know I’d hate to coordinate against Greg or Stephon because of how athletic they are,” said Herron, whose team begins its 3A state title defense Friday at home versus Daniel.

A slippery bar of soap

That shiftiness is what college coaches are interested in seeing from Ruff. He’ll likely end up playing slot receiver or running back at the next level, so this is how South Pointe has to package and market his abilities.

They dang-sure can’t move him from quarterback right now to get him some film at a different position. Ruff, selected to the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl (North-South) all-star game in December, has been too good since taking over full-time as the Stallions starter last September.

In 20 games as South Pointe’s No. 1 man, he’s thrown 49 touchdowns with just six interceptions. None of those have come in the last 12 games. That trend began in the 2014 Upper State championship and state championship games when Ruff combined for nine touchdowns and no turnovers against A.C. Flora and Hartsville.

Five combined rushing touchdowns the last two weeks have put the spotlight on Ruff’s running ability. When the protection pocket has deteriorated he’s improvised and created from nothing. Many players become less effective as a play wears on, but Ruff seems to get more dangerous the longer a snap draws out.

“He throws the ball real well on time, but when something breaks down and the coverage changes, he’s just gonna make it up as he goes,” said Daniel coach Randy Robinson. “I think that’s the most scary thing for us defensively, is to try to keep him in the pocket.”

Keeping the faith

If corralling the Stallions’ QB has been a headache for opposing tacklers and coaches, the recruiting process has been just as frustrating for Ruff and his family. He was a road warrior this past summer, visiting prospect camps at Ball State, Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina and Campbell, as well as two others in the Midwest. Grades and test scores are no problem, but so far Ruff’s only tangible offer is from Division II Union College, in Kentucky.

Herron tells college recruiters, “if you get him the ball and it’s open field, the defense has got problems.” The first couple minutes of the highlight film are evidence enough, and Ruff mentioned that he’s been working on running routes and catching passes in his spare time.

But, Herron said, “It’s all size with them. He’s just not tall enough.”

Many of Ruff’s best friends getting Division I offers has been a test.

“It gets tough sometimes seeing all my friends get all these big-time offers,” he said. “I’ve just got to stay patient and have faith in God.”

Christian faith is a bedrock for Ruff. His mother and aunt are preachers and his father and uncle are heavily involved in Rock Hill’s The Vine Church. Faith gives Ruff strength - he attends church every Sunday - and his family provides a safety net that doesn’t let him get too big for his blue jeans.

“Super people,” said Herron.

Ruff is a perfect team guy, an untethered spirit devoid of ego and often bouncing around practice, hollering and joking with other players. He’s well respected and his teammates play for him.

“He’s a high character, good old guy,” said Herron. “Hard-nosed player that’s gonna give you everything he’s got.”

One focus

Traversing the entire regular season without an interception is an incredible accomplishment, any way it’s parsed. For Ruff to avoid having a pass deflected at the line of scrimmage or a receiver drop a football into a defender’s arms is lucky. And he’s also blessed with one of the best receiving groups in the state, with five Stallion skill-guys sporting Division I offers. No doubt they’ve bailed him out a few times.

“I have great receivers and I trust them and know they’ll be there,” said Ruff.

There have been times when Ruff took sacks - he’s been dropped 24 times in 2015 - as opposed to making a riskier throw, or held on to the ball instead of firing to an open receiver, instances that South Pointe coaches hope don’t show he’s thinking too much about the zero interception stat, or the recruiting. But Wednesday, Ruff denied giving too much thought to either.

“I just focus on the team we’ve got, and the team we’re playing against,” he said.

Winning will take care of his future. If Ruff keeps focused on results and not interception tallies or college recruiting, it’s almost certain he’ll miss the North-South game, scheduled for the same afternoon as the 3A state championship game. While Ruff could use the extra exposure, Herron isn’t worried about the future of his quarterback, 19-1 as the Stallions’ starter since last October.

“I think something’s gonna open up for him. You can’t have the numbers he has without being a good athlete, a good football player,” said Herron. “But his recruiting is gonna go on until after the season.”

This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 4:11 PM with the headline "Greg Ruff patiently waiting for a Division I chance."