Whitaker Might Pass on Chance to Keep Playing

For a handful of players, tonight’s Orange County North-South Prep All-Star game will mark the conclusion of their football careers.

And it has little to do with their desire to keep playing.

Sometimes, standout high school players don’t possess the size, speed or other traits necessary to entice college recruiters.

Evan Whitaker, on the other hand, has the opportunity to keep playing; he’s just not sure he wants to.

Whitaker, the El Toro quarterback who will take the field for the South at Orange Coast College, is still being recruited by UC Davis less than two months before the Aggies’ season opener.

UC Davis Coach Bob Biggs called the Whitaker home as recently as Wednesday night to reiterate his interest.

But Whitaker hasn’t indicated--publicly, at least--whether he wants to continue his football career at the Division II level or pursue a teaching credential at Cal State San Marcos, where his parents have already placed a deposit on room and board.

Offensive lineman Eric Bansberg, a teammate of Whitaker’s at El Toro and also on the South roster, said of a recent conversation with Whitaker, “I kind of got the indication that he really didn’t want to” keep playing.

“Maybe he’d miss it after a year,” Bansberg said, “but right now, I don’t think he wants it.”

No matter what he decides, Whitaker realizes he needs to do it soon.

“I don’t know at this moment what I’m going to do,” he said. “I’m basically walking on a path that I don’t know much about, using my own intuition to find my way.”

Why would he want to stop playing?

Whitaker said he preferred not to get into the details, but his coach, Mike Milner of El Toro, offered several reasons why prospective players typically turn down offers to keep playing.

One is the pressure. Another is the tremendous time commitment.

“Twenty years ago, a guy getting recruited didn’t have that much indecision,” Milner said. “He was full steam ahead. Nowadays, even heavily recruited guys are thinking, ‘Do I really want to do it because of the time commitment?’ If they don’t play, they can start their life, so to speak. They can go to class and do other things.”

“Other things” for Whitaker include U.S. history and psychology, his academic interests. Eventually, he’d like to teach at the high school level and coach football and baseball.

But a number of people close to Whitaker, including his mother, Tina, and South Coach Scott Orloff, would like to see him play more football before coaching it.

“The kid can play,” said Orloff, the coach at Dana Hills. “He is a special kid who can do some things. I told him he should continue to play football because he can do something special.”

Said Tina Whitaker: “I told him not to sell himself short, that he’s capable of playing [college football]. He’s such a graceful athlete. He makes it look so effortless.

“I would love for him to go to Davis, not only for the education but so he could stay in sports and play. But I’ve raised him to make his own decisions and I’m going to back him up no matter what.”

Whitaker, a drop-back quarterback, completed 52.4% of his passes last season for 1,769 yards and 15 touchdowns with only five interceptions. He ran the Charger offense to perfection most of the time and led his team to the first round of the playoffs.

But prospective college quarterbacks need to fit a certain physical mold, and the lean 6-foot-3, 190-pounder more closely resembles a surfer than a quarterback.

Milner tried to get Whitaker some looks from Division I schools he figured would be interested, but those coaches said their schools were set at the position.

Milner said he plans to speak with Whitaker regarding his future in the coming days.

“I will try to crystallize his thinking in terms of what he wants to do,” Milner said. “I’ll see what his aspirations are and guide him in that direction. At the present time, I don’t know what he’s thinking.”

The “X” factor in Whitaker’s decision may be tonight’s game. Whitaker wasn’t even picked to play in the game until three weeks ago, when Mike Bergey of Dana Hills broke the little finger on his throwing hand.

“About three weeks ago,” Whitaker said, “I thought football was over. The next minute, I’m starting in the all-star game.”

Could tonight’s game help him reach a decision?

“Possibly.”

If he does decide to put his uniform in mothballs after the scoreboard reads 00:00, Whitaker will pack his bags for San Marcos.

“It’s just a nice, quiet place about an hour south of here,” he said. “It’s got a good teaching program, something I really want to do.

“If it all ends here [tonight], it’s been a great ride.”

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Prep Football

* What: Orange County North-South Prep All-Star game

* When: Tonight, 7:15

* Where: Orange Coast College, 2701 Fairview Rd., Costa Mesa

* Basics: The North, coached by John Turek of Troy, features Jason Whieldon, the Orange Lutheran quarterback who is one of the most prolific passers in county history, and Josh Herrera, a La Habra running back who rushed for 2,088 yards. The South, coached by Scott Orloff of Dana Hills, features Matt Grootegoed, the Mater Dei defensive back who’s headed to USC. Players and coaches were selected by members of the Orange County Sportswriters Assn. The North leads the series, 20-17-3. The South won last year’s game, 24-7. Proceeds benefit charities such as the Orange County Youth Foundation, Inc., and the Brea Lions Club.

* Tickets: $8 at the gate.

* Information: (714) 529-5658