The Prospect of Jim Plum Coming to Aztecs’ Defense Will Happen Only in Miller’s Dreams : He Wants No Part of Changing Positions

From the eyes of a defensive coordinator, San Diego State’s Burnie Miller envisions reserve quarterback Jim Plum at other positions.

Plum is as strong as a linebacker and as quick as a safety.

So last summer, Miller asked Plum if he would consider playing defense.

Plum’s response was simple: “I’m a quarterback.”

Miller dropped it at that, but he still thinks there is a little defense in Plum.

“He may have thought I was kidding when I asked, but I wasn’t kidding myself,” Miller said. “I told him anytime he wanted a shot at strong safety, we’d be glad to have him. I’d even like him at outside linebacker.”

At 6-feet 2-inches and 190 pounds, Plum has the size of a quarterback--or safety. He spends a lot of time in the weight room and could undoubtedly add the bulk necessary to play linebacker.

“He’s a pretty tough kid,” Miller said. “He’s well put together and strong. If a guy doesn’t want to play something, we won’t make him play it. I think he’s capable (of playing defense). You’d have to put him at strong safety and see if he was quick enough to handle it. Sometimes, a guy can run fast straightaway, but you don’t know if he can backpedal.”

One must backtrack to find the last time Plum played defense. He was a defensive back in Pop Warner during the mid ‘70s.

Since then, he has been a quarterback. He was good enough to start three years for Helix High’s varsity and be named a first-team Parade Magazine All-American, yet he has started one game in 2 1/2 seasons at San Diego State. He also redshirted a year.

Plum wanted to play defense in high school, but Coach Jim Arnaiz wouldn’t let him.

“I was flattered (when asked to play defense), but I can’t do it,” Plum said. “I’m a quarterback. I think I could play defense. I think I have the physical and mental capabilities.”

After all so much time at SDSU, however, Plum still has problems adjusting to his role. Plum, who had never been No. 2, said he can’t understand it.

The answer, however, has been simple: Todd Santos.

Santos, a sophomore, is eighth nationally in passing efficiency. He was leading the nation before last Saturday’s game at Brigham Young.

Plum has made the most of two chances. He was 9 of 14 for 96 yards and 1 touchdown in the fourth quarter of a 34-16 loss against UCLA. And he was 5 of 7 for 85 yards with 1 interception in the 28-0 loss to BYU.

On Plum’s first play against the Cougars, he threw a 40-yard pass to Vince Warren at the BYU 9. The Aztecs ran out of downs at the 1-yard line.

After watching films Monday, Plum was shaking his head. He knew he did well, but he also knew he wouldn’t be starting Saturday night against Utah.

“It’s really frustrating because I’m not playing,” Plum said. “That’s all there is to it. I pray a lot. It’s been a struggle all the way. I don’t understand what all is going on. Hopefully, it’ll work itself out. I’ve always been real optimistic in football or baseball. I just need some opportunities.”

Plum refused to comment whether he ever considered transferring. He can’t transfer now because a player has five seasons to finish his eligibility. Plum, who’s in his fourth, would have to sit out a year if he transferred.

He had more chances to play early in 1984 than in 1985. He rallied the Aztecs to within two yards of an upset against nationally ranked Oklahoma State in Game No. 4. The next game, he passed for two touchdowns as a reserve in a 21-0 win against Wyoming. He started the next week against Utah, but was replaced by Santos after halftime.

He has been a distant second-string since.

“Jim always does a pretty good job in practice,” Coach Doug Scovil said. “We don’t like to put him in a game for no reason. We like to keep the quarterback system the way it is. It’s good to know we have someone like Jim if we need him.”

In a quiet manner, Plum makes it known he feels unwanted. He said he has not approached the coaching staff because he believes it would not solve his problem.

“It’s not a personal battle with the coaches,” he said. “They have nothing against me. It’s just circumstances. Every time before the game, Coach Scovil tells me to be ready and I tell him I am ready. Then, it’s the same thing. I’ll get in the last four minutes, drive the team and get a spark going. I feel I could help the team more if I was playing more.”

Plum said he tries to help the team as a spiritual leader. He is president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes on campus and leads a Bible study on Fridays.

“This might sound trivial, but I have picked up a lot of guys,” Plum said. “I’ve talked to guys who have had problems with the coaches or thought of quitting. I tell them I’m in a predicament, too. I seem to have a recourse there. There are a bunch of guys I have talked into staying here, but I don’t want to mention any names. I’m willing to listen.”

Plum just wishes he could be heard from more often on the field, as long as he’s playing quarterback and not defense.

Aztec Notes Nose guard Levi Esene, who has missed three games with a dislocated elbow, is again doubtful this week. Esene had said earlier he might contemplate being a redshirt if he missed too many games. “We’re not going to redshirt him,” Coach Doug Scovil said. “We can’t afford to.” The defensive line is considered SDSU’s thinnest position. Tal Tamamasui, who became academically eligible three weeks ago, is listed as the first-string nose guard this week. . . . Running back Casey Brown (pulled hamstring) and linebacker Richard Brown (sprained ankle) are also doubtful this week, Scovil said. . . . Utah won its first five games before losing Saturday at Arizona State, 34-27. It was Utah’s best start since 1947. . . . Saturday will be homecoming for SDSU.