Wants to be a doctor

There were plenty of college football programs interested in Cardinal Ritter linebacker LaRon Haymore. And many of them had a stronger football pedigree than the one he eventually chose.

But Haymore has more in mind than interceptions and quarterback sacks. He wants to be a doctor.

It's the reason he decided to sign with the University of Buffalo on Feb. 5, the first day high school seniors can sign binding national letters of intent with NCAA universities.

"Of all the schools that were looking at me, they had the best pre-med program," said Haymore, who also considered Kansas State and Northern Illinois. "I want to be an orthopedic surgeon. And after looking at everything, I felt Buffalo would the best place to start working toward that goal.

"I just felt lucky to have the options that I do, so there was no way I was going to throw away the chance or maybe go to a school (only) because it had a better reputation in football."

These days, many Division I prospects weigh other factors - like bowl games, TV appearances, won-loss records, tradition, facilities, etc. - more heavily than academic pursuit. But Ritter coach Michael Baker said he's not surprised scholastic achievement played a major role in Haymore's selection of Buffalo over more established football programs.

"He's a great kid. He has an unbelievable work ethic, and he's a bright young man," Baker said. "He's overcome a great deal. His great grandmother raised him. He lives in a tough area, an area where a lot of kids don't go to college. But he deserves this. He's worked hard."

Haymore said he'll play outside linebacker or move to strong safety for Buffalo.

A few weeks shy of his 18th birthday, Haymore is a solid 6 feet 1 and 214 pounds, but he plans on working out every day until he leaves for Buffalo in the summer.

"My commitment to them is even bigger now," he said. "I want to get there in top shape."

Before getting to Cardinal Ritter, Haymore had never played organized football.

"I had a cousin (Brian Swift) that graduated from Georgetown, and he gave me some advice," Haymore said. "He told me to do as much as I can once I started high school.

"So, to get my feet wet and meet people and make myself a valuable asset to the school, I tried almost everything to see what I was good at. And football was one of them."

Haymore made an impact quickly. He was on the varsity as a sophomore and played center on the offensive line.

"Because he is such a smart kid, he would call all the (blocking) assignments," Baker said.

The next year, Haymore was switched to the defense, where a combination of headsy decision-making and aggressive play helped him become a college prospect. His love for football is so strong that during three-a-day workouts in the summer, he rode his bicycle almost 6 miles one way from his home near the old Vashon High School to practice.

"I can't really say what I will feel like the day I sign," he said. "But when I think about it, I get pretty excited. I can't believe I'm going to go to college. And due to my work on the football field, I'm going to go for free.

"I wish I could start now. I really want to get going."

In several years, Haymore plans to be in the field he envisioned himself in since he was very young.

"I got the idea from watching the Cosby Show," Haymore said. "Bill was a doctor on that show. And honestly, ever since then I've wanted to be one. I love science, and I like that it's a profession that is respected.

"I know I'll have to work hard and it will take me a long time, but I'm not afraid of the work. I welcome it. I want to do it to make everyone who's helped me proud, especially my great grandmother (Bernice Thomas, 85). She's already elated for me, and she thinks we've been so blessed."



Ritter's other Division I prospect, defensive back Bryan Baldwin, is making his final recruiting trip this weekend. After visiting Kansas, it appears as if he'll decide between the Jayhawks, Kansas State, Wisconsin, Iowa and Northern Illinois.

Over the last few weeks, interest in Baldwin has grown, and the pressure on him has increased.

"He's a mess right now; he doesn't know what to do," said Baker, his coach at Ritter. "There are some really big-name schools starting to contact him, and he's not sure where he wants to go."

Baldwin encountered a common problem for Division I prospects from small high schools. Because Ritter is a Missouri Class 1 program, recruiters weren't sure how his game would transfer to the major-college level. Most recruiting services listed him as a receiver -he was a standout at that position in high school. But he's open to playing defensive back in college, and that's opened some eyes.

"Now everyone wants him," Baker said. "He's one of the toughest players too find. A cover corner with height (6-0, 175 pounds) and speed."



Normandy running back Laurence Maroney, the No. 1 player on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 prospects list, caused a stir last week when he scheduled a press conference to announce his decision, then decided not to announce his choice.

A few days after Maroney returned from a recruiting trip to the University of Minnesota, speculation was that the 2,000-yard rusher had chosen the Golden Gophers. That still might be the case, but Maroney doesn't plan to say so until Feb. 5, his birthday.

"He's made his decision," said Jean Pate, the Normandy athletics director. "But he wants to announce it Feb. 5."