Aurora Christian QB Maddie picks W. Michigan

Aurora Christian quarterback Anthony Maddie has got it.

“A lot of times in football people talk about the ‘it factor.' If they see that in me, that makes me very happy,” said the Eagles' incoming senior.

“Having people see that in you, it definitely boosts your confidence and lets you know that your hard work is paying off and they're seeing what you want them to see,” Maddie said.

Western Michigan University saw it in Maddie, who repaid the compliment on Tuesday night by issuing his verbal commitment to a full scholarship from the Broncos, an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision team.

Maddie had also received offers from Illinois State, Wyoming and Bowling Green and had drawn interest from Minnesota, Northwestern and Northern Illinois.

“I'm really happy,” said Maddie, who called Western Michigan quarterbacks coach Ryan Cubit, head coach Bill Cubit and recruiting coordinator and assistant coach Mike Sabock with his decision.

“I went up there and visited earlier this summer (June 13), and it seemed like the perfect place for me,” Maddie said. “As far as a quarterback situation it seemed like an opportunity for me to go up there and play for a long time, as long as I work hard. I loved the coaches, loved the school. It felt like a perfect fit for me.”

Broncos quarterback Alex Carder enters his junior season, and should Maddie take a redshirt season as a freshman, he figures a lengthy run may be in order.

“If I work hard and I'm able to beat everybody else out, that'll be the situation for me,” said Maddie, who turns 18 in October.

“Anthony has worked very hard to earn this huge honor for a high school athlete,” said Aurora Christian coach Don Beebe, who has called Maddie the best athlete he's coached. “I'm very proud of him and am honored to be his coach.”

A small controversy erupted last summer concerning Maddie's transfer to Aurora Christian from Joliet Catholic, which Maddie directed to the 2009 Class 5A state championship game as a sophomore. That blew over, and Maddie went on to earn honorable-mention 3A all-state honors.

The 6-foot-2, 186-pound quarterback completed 157 of 325 passes for 2,468 yards, 26 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 2010, leading 7-5 Aurora Christian to a 3A quarterfinal contest against Stillman Valley. In the Eagles' 38-0 first-round win over higher-seeded Oregon, Maddie threw for 296 yards and 6 touchdowns. He passed for 5 touchdowns on two other occasions last season.

Also intriguing is Maddie's running ability and a vertical leap of 38 inches. Great at improvising and evading tacklers, he scrambled for a team-high 607 yards, with 4 touchdowns. Two of those scores came in a season-high 160-yard effort in an 18-16 second-round playoff win over previously unbeaten Wilmington, including an 85-yard jaunt on the Eagles' first play from scrimmage.

Western Michigan coaches liked Maddie's dual-threat ability, athleticism and attitude. Maddie hopes to add one more facet.

“I'm happy that I've made my decision, and now my main goal is just to go and win state,” he said. “I don't want to leave high school without a ring.”