Orange next challenge for Paulus

Greg Paulus is going home to play college football.

The former Duke point guard will attempt to play quarterback for Syracuse University this fall, he announced on Thursday.

But the Orange, which hasn't had a winning season since 2001, has a designated starting quarterback and a senior backup who started 11 games in 2008.  

"I understand going into it, there are no promises and no guarantees," Paulus said. "I understand what I need to earn."

Paulus' announcement capped off a unique seven-week process that saw the former prep All-American quarterback work out for the Green Bay Packers and visit traditional powers Michigan and Nebraska.

Paulus decided to go back to upstate New York, where he starred in high school for Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse before choosing basketball at Duke over college football.

Paulus finished his prep football career with 152 touchdown passes and a 42-3 record. He was considered one of the best quarterback prospects in his class but he hasn't taken a snap since the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in Jan. 2005.

"There are going to be challenges along the way," Paulus said. "It's obviously a different game and there's a new system to learn."

The NCAA still needs to grant Paulus an academic waiver to be eligible for the 2009 season. Paulus, who graduated from Duke with a political science degree, said he would pursue a post-graduate degree from Syracuse's Newhouse School of public communications.

Last year, the NCAA granted a waiver to quarterback Taylor Bennett, who transferred from Georgia Tech to Louisiana Tech, after graduating. He did not have to sit out a season, which is normally required by the NCAA.

Syracuse is one of "two dozen" schools that contacted Paulus, he said. After Duke's basketball season ended in March, he talked with Duke coach David Cutcliffe about playing football for the Blue Devils but their quarterback situation didn't present an opportunity to play in 2009. Paulus turned down Cutcliffe's offer to play receiver at Duke.

The quarterback situation at Syracuse is complicated. Senior Cameron Dantley, a former walk-on, started 11 games for the Orange, who went 3-9 in 2008.

But Dantley lost the job in the spring to redshirt freshman Ryan Nassib. First-year Orange coach Doug Marrone tabbed Nassib the starter in March.

How Paulus' arrival will change that equation is unclear.

Marrone, a former offensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints, replaced coach Greg Robinson, who went 10-37 in four seasons.

Marrone's pro-style offense could potentially prepare Paulus, who only has one season of eligibility, for a pro career.

"That is down the road," Paulus said. "There's a lot of hard work that needs to be put in. My objective is to help the team. Whatever coach Marrone wants me to do, that's what I'll do."

Paulus started 139 games in four seasons for the Blue Devils' basketball team, helping them to the ACC title in his freshman and senior seasons. He struggled through a tough senior season in 2008-09. He lost his starting job and was relegated to a limited reserve role.

He did finish his basketball career ranked among Duke's career leaders in 3-pointers (eighth with 210) and assists (ninth with 468).