Purdue says Marve is 'something to celebrate'

INDIANAPOLIS — The list of great quarterbacks who have played at Purdue is lengthy both in time and number, from Len Dawson, Bob Griese and Mike Phipps in the 1950s and ’60s, to current NFL quarterbacks Drew Brees and Kyle Orton.

Robert Marve will try to follow in their footsteps after deciding he’ll transfer to Purdue instead of walking on at Tennessee.

Purdue announced that Marve will be a Boilermaker in a news release Thursday. He will have two years of eligibility, starting with the 2010 season.

Purdue coach Danny Hope said Marve immediately made Purdue a better football program. He said Marve has a strong, accurate arm and runs the 40-yard dash in about 4.5 seconds.

“Any time we can get one of the nation’s top players on our football team, it’s something to celebrate,” Hope said.

Robert Weiner, Marve’s coach at Plant High School in Tampa, told The Associated Press last week that Marve was considering walking on at Tennessee, and that he also visited South Florida, Arizona State and Nebraska. Weiner said as many as 30 schools were interested in Marve after he announced he was leaving Miami.

Phone messages left with Marve and Weiner on Thursday were not immediately returned.

Marve will run a spread offense at Purdue similar to the system he ran at Plant, where he was Florida’s Mr. Football in 2006.

It is unclear whether Marve would start classes at Purdue this summer or in the fall.

Marve missed his freshman season because of injuries from a car crash. Last season, He completed 116 of 213 passes for 1,293 yards with nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

He started 11 of 13 games, but was held out of the Emerald Bowl as a punishment for missing class. Jacory Harris started in the 24-17 loss to California.

Harris was selected the starter entering 2009, and on Dec. 30, Marve told The Associated Press he was leaving Miami.