Blue to attend Hargrave Military Academy before UNC

A.J. Blue won't be playing football at North Carolina as early as he first thought.

The former North Gaston High School quarterback star plans to attend Hargrave Military Academy this fall while trying achieve NCAA academic eligibility standards.

"I just didn't get my (SAT) score high enough," Blue said Wednesday.

Blue, the reigning Gazette player of the year, had been recruited by North Carolina as an all-purpose athlete and signed a national letter of intent with the Tar Heels in February.

But when he didn't qualify academically, he started looking for other options. His hope is to attend Hargrave until December and then transfer to North Carolina for the spring semester.

Blue believes the Chatham, Va., prep school isn't a bad option. When he visited the campus, located about 2 ½ hours from Gaston County, he was impressed to learn of the many former Hargrave players like Torry Holt who went on to NFL careers.

"I took a visit up there Monday and I liked it," Blue said.

Blue's North Carolina recruiting coach, John Lovette, told him that he had sent five players to Hargrave who eventually landed in the NFL.

Blue expects to play running back and quarterback for head coach Robert Prunty and would retain his full collegiate eligibility. Although Blue's enrollment isn't yet official, he expects to receive his acceptance letter in the next few days.

You can reach Phillip Gardner at 704-869-1843.