Brennan's brother called Brock last week to let him know of Shinskie's situation and Brock called Brennan immediately.

"He said, We want to get in on this derby,' '' Brennan said.

Little wonder the Eagles were interested. Their lone experienced quarterback, Dominique Davis, decided a week ago to transfer after he was suspended for academic reasons. That left first-year BC coach Frank Spaziani without a quarterback who has ever thrown a pass in an Atlantic Coast Conference game.

Shinskie said he chose Boston College because the school offered him a full scholarship and he loved everything about the program after taking an official visit a week a go.

"They offered me a scholarship and a chance to compete right away," he said. "Coming in there right away and competing, at an academic school, and the coaches there are second to none, they are great guys (and) I just felt really comfortable up there when I took my visit and I made my mind up."

Shinskie said he doesn't really know any of his future teammates, but he did meet some of the linemen last week.

As for his chances to be the No. 1 QB in the fall, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Shinskie said, "I feel good about it. I'm an athlete and I'm always going to compete and they told me I'm going to be able to compete for the starting position and that's what I'm going to do."

Brennan has little doubt about Shinskie's chance for success. "People have had success with these types of guys. They have been humbled, they have been working hard, competing with people, traveling, and they are mature," Brennan said.

"He learned a work ethic in his baseball days and that is certainly going to help him in football," said the coach for whom Shinskie won two Class AA state championships.

"He's a different person physically. He was a very good quarterback and now he has grown into his body, his feet are significantly better and he says he throws the football better now than he did then," Brennan said.

Shinskie admitted that while he was playing professional baseball, the thought of playing college football crossed his mind.

"I loved football, but baseball was my job and my life, and I was focused on that," he said. "But you never get sick of throwing the football around and it doesn't leave your head."

Shinskie has not chosen a major but said it will involve education because he wants to become a teacher and a coach.

But, if the former Pennsylvania Associated Press Small School Player of the Year has his wish, that part of his life will be four years in the future.