Dolphin trio ink football pacts
BY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News Brad McGuire, with parents Brad and Kari McGuire. McGuire signed with Louisiana-Lafayette.

Brad McGuire, Doug Baldwin and Cody Sharp would all agree that as seniors, their football season didn't go the way they wanted to.

They also have something else in common - they like how it's ended.

The trio were honored at a ceremony Feb. 7 at the Media Center to celebrate their recent signings to play college football. McGuire will play at Louisiana Lafayette, Baldwin at Stanford and Sharp at Birmingham Southern College.

"This is a testament not just for our football program, but to our whole school community," head coach Chris Nemith said. "These three are very, very fortunate to be here in this situation."

McGuire finished his high school career with more than 5,000 yards passing and 48 touchdowns in four years as the Dolphins' starting quarterback. He also ran for more than 1,200 yards.

"It just felt like home for the next four years," said McGuire, who also got an offer from Florida International.

"Everything just fit. I get a chance to compete for a starting spot as a freshman, that was something I was looking for. The type of offense they run works well with what I can do. The coaches were all honest with me."

Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News Doug Baldwin, with mother Cindy (seated, left), grandmother Vickie Boling (right), younger brother Devon, father Doug Sr. and grandfather J.B. Boling. Baldwin signed with Stanford University.

Louisiana Lafayette finished 6-6 this season and 3-4 in the Sun Belt Conference. Their nonconference schedule this year included LSU and Texas A&M.

"Schools won't schedule Sun Belt Conference schools because of the level of their play," said Nemith, adding that their coach Rickey Bustle had coached Michael Vick while at Virginia Tech. "He knows what to do in coaching quarterbacks," Nemith said.

McGuire, the son of Brad and Kari McGuire, recently had his non-throwing shoulder scoped. A four-year starter for the Dolphin baseball team, McGuire can start catching next week.

Baldwin didn't let a coaching change faze him, as he stayed with the Cardinal after Walt Harris was fired after a 1-11 season.

Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News Cody Sharp with parents Lisa and Bob and younger brother Carson. Sharp will play football at Birmingham Southern College.

"Stanford can only recruit the elite student athlete," Nemith said. "That's a testament to Gulf Breeze and the community."

Baldwin, who caught 42 passes for 464 yards and six touchdowns, also had shoulder surgery - on both of them. Baldwin said that didn't faze the Cardinal, who has recently hired former Bears and Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh.

"When I made my official visit, the people were just amazing," Baldwin said. "It was just a perfect fit. The professors were all very welcoming."

Baldwin may get some playing time on special teams first as a punt and kick returner. "They don't have a specific punt or kick returner," Baldwin said. "They have two receivers back that will definitely go into the NFL. Once I get use to the system, hopefully I can step up in the depth chart."

Sharp, a two-year starter (and the only returning starter from the year before) on the offensive line, had a chance to play at Jacksonville State, a I-AA team that went 6-5 a year ago. But Sharp opted to play at Birmingham-Southern, which will field its first team next season.

"Mainly, the academics," Sharp said of his decision. "They said I would start immediately. That's a big draw right there."

Sharp's major, biology, was another draw for him to BSC.

"They've got one of the best labs I've ever seen. It's going to be great."

"He looked at the total picture, not just the football program," Nemith said. "The head coach told him (offensive coordinator Joel Williams), 'recruit him 11 starters.' Cody was one of those 11."