Numerous recruiters came looking for Knoch quarterback Jordan Shoop in recent weeks.

But he knew what he was looking for — and found it in the University of Richmond.

Shoop has committed verbally to the Division I-AA Spiders and will sign a letter of intent with the university this week. He plans to major in business.

"Richmond is among the top academic schools in the country," Shoop said. "The average SAT score is something like 1,350 there. It ranks among the top 35 nationally that way.

"Their business school is ranked among the top 15 in the nation."

Their football program isn't bad, either.

Richmond coach Dave Clawson was named Division I-AA Coach of the Year last season after guiding the Spiders to a 9-4 record and the I-AA quarterfinals in just his second year at the helm.

Richmond was ranked No. 8 in the country by The Sports Network at the end of last season. The Spiders were 3-8 in 2004.

Richmond's offense generated a school-record 349 points and 4,957 yards in 2005.

"Coach Clawson is fantastic," Shoop said. "He's turned around every football program he's been with, and he works wonders with quarterbacks."

Senior quarterback Stacy Tutt threw for 2,219 yards and 16 touchdowns while rushing for 828 yards and 12 TDs for the Spiders last season.

Clawson also turned Fordham's fortunes around and got a 4.000-yard passing season out of his quarterback while coaching at Hofstra.

Shoop threw for 1,835 yards and 19 touchdowns while rushing for 606 yards and eight scores in his two years as Knoch's quarterback.

"Their interest in him is as a quarterback," Knoch coach Mike King said. "They like his versatility and they feel like he can play there fairly soon.

"Academics are important to Jordan. He's a special kid and a special athlete. I was a little surprised some Mid-American Conference schools didn't pursue him more because he can play at that level."

Shoop is receiving a full scholarship from Richmond. He also had full offers on the table from Maine, New Hampshire, Youngstown State and the Naval Academy.

Some schools — Maine, Slippery Rock, Indiana (Pa.) and Edinboro — had interest in him as a defensive back.

"One of the recruiters' big attractions toward Jordan was his versatility," King said. "He can play on either side of the ball and he's an outstanding student."

A 1,000-point scorer in basketball and a three-year starter at point guard for the Knights, Shoop formerly attracted collegiate interest there as well.

"I had thought about basketball, but I stopped playing AAU the summer before my junior year," Shoop said. "AAU ball is when most college basketball coaches see you play.

"Albany wanted me to work out for them last summer and had a scholarship available. I told them no. That's when I realized I wanted to go with football."

With Tutt graduating this year, Richmond's returning quarterback contingent next fall consists of redshirt freshman Will Healy and freshmen Levi Brown and Eric Ward.

Still, Shoop is anticipating being redshirted next fall.

"Unless I pick up the offense really quick, that will be the case," he said. "They run the same West Coast offense a lot of NFL: teams run, and there's a lot of stuff in there.

"I have a lot to learn and it's going to take a while. No matter where you go, you have to compete for and earn your playing time. I'm prepared to do that."