Scott Christie seems to be ahead of his time, so a redshirt at Edinboro University next season should help even things up.

Christie, a senior at Karns City, will continue his academic and football careers with the Fightin' Scots.

Christie, 17, will get the opportunity to watch and learn with the hopes of gaining some major playing time as a redshirt freshman in 2005.

"They have 23 graduating seniors on scholarship," said Christie. "If (next) spring, I can make the depth chart, I can work my way in."

"He's 17 and could play another year of high school football," said Gremlins coach Ed Conto. "As far as development, he has a lot of potential. He can take it where he wants it."

Christie, 6-foot-5, 295 pounds, chose Edinboro over Slippery Rock University.

"Obviously, they're on top of the division right now," said Christie. "Slippery Rock, they don't have a starting quarterback. They're going to be starting a freshman.

"I liked the whole Edinboro atmosphere better than Slippery Rock," he added.

Christie had been recruited by Mid-American Conference schools. He appeared to be headed to Kent State, but that didn't pan out.

"The recruiting coach developed cancer and took a medical leave," said Christie.

That left some of the prospective players in limbo, and "they wanted to bring me in as a walk-on.

I had an offer from West Point. I had the appointment with my congressman. All I needed was my physical."

Christie, however, couldn't see himself in that strict, disciplined setting and decided to attend Edinboro.

Christie will play at offensive tackle, a position he manned for three years as a starter with the Gremlins.

As a senior, he also played at defensive tackle, but he won't have to worry about that with the Scots.

"I probably need to work on my overall speed and my endurance as well," said Christie. "I'm not going to be working both ways like in high school. I should have the strength."

Christie suffered torn knee ligaments his junior season with the Gremlins, but was able to continue playing.

"He had it last year and he worked through it," said Conto. "A lot of kids would not do that. He's rehabbing the knee.

"The strength is there. His talent is his quick feet. He's explosive. He has to realize what to do with it. It's up to him now," Conto added.

Christie said his eye for the game is one of his best attributes.

"Some players have the smarts for the game, how to outwork others," said Christie. "I think Coach Conto helped me do that. I know the blocking schemes and (Edinboro) runs the zone, so it won't be hard."

About the only difficult part of next season will lie in not being part of the game as he waits for a chance the following season.

"I'm only 17 and I don't have the maturity and the mentality yet," said Christie.

"(The redshirt) will still be like a year at prep school. I'll get to go to practices and get to dress for the home games."

And having an opportunity with so many seniors moving on will help as well.

"Edinboro will have 23 seniors this year, so they didn't give out a lot in scholarships," said Conto. "He'll go in, say, "I'm redshirted' and try and take advantage of it.

"It's there for whoever wants it," he added.