Storey not the typical QB

Charleston quarterback Ty Storey (No. 4), at 6-3 and 217 pounds, stood out even before he passed for nearly 4,400 yards and 46 touchdowns.

The talent of Charleston junior quarterback Ty Storey on the field is easy to recognize but his off the field work is just as impressive.

Storey, 6-3, 217 pounds, 4.92 seconds in the 40-yard dash, committed to Arkansas over scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn and Arkansas State on Tuesday. He completed 328 of 503 passes for 4,397 yards and 46 touchdowns last season despite playing much of the season on an injured knee.

“He’s one I’ve never coached before in terms of just being the student of the game,” said Charleston Coach Greg Kendrick. “He’s first in and last out every day. He’s fun to coach because I guess being a coach’s kid. He has a deep understanding of the game but also his work ethic the way it is he’s above and beyond anyone I’ve ever coached. He expects it of himself. He gets it not only from his self but he pushes his teammates and make them better as well.”

Rhett Lashlee of Shiloh Christian, who threw for 4,546 yards in 1999, is the only quarterback to throw for more yardage as a sophomore in Arkansas.

Kendrick was the offensive line coach at Greenwood under Rick Jones from 2003-07 before being named the offensive coordinator for the Tigers. He was named head coach in December.

“He gets me out of bad plays, “ Kendrick said. “He’s a coach on the field. He has free reign to check certain things and gets us out of bad plays. Just some of the plays he makes the typical high school kid can’t make and the plays that he makes is just unbelievable.”

Storey recorded 8 games with at least 300 passing yards, 3 games with at least 400 yards and 2 games with least 500 yards last season. Coaching Storey is fun but also pushes Kendrick in his profession.

“It’s been a challenge at same time because he’s pushing me to get better in my craft,” Kendrick said. “ Because of me being an O-line guy coaching quarterbacks, He’s challenged me because the way he absorbs coaching and the way he takes coaching and really pushes himself. He’s made me a lot better coach.”

Storey is a throwback in football terms because of his demeanor and the way he carries himself.

“To be honest, he’s a linebacker playing quarterback,” Kendrick said. “He’s hard nose, he’s blue-collar. He was raised on a farm, his grandfather is a farmer and his dad has a big place. He’s just hard nose, blue-collar type old-school football player.”

His toughness and determination was exhibited shortly after having ACL surgery.

“He had surgery I think the 29th of November,” Kendrick said. “The next week he’s in a chair throwing working on his upper body. He’s constantly pushing himself.”

Storey’s leadership skills are strong but he’s not a big rah-rah type.

“He’s a guy that’s going to lead by example, that’s going to push other players with his work ethic.” Kendrick said. “When your leaders are your hardest working players, most the time you have something special and I feel like we do.”

Kendrick said Storey makes plays in practice or in games on a regular basis that a typical high school football player doesn’t make.

“I hate to sound arrogant or cocky but he amazes me on a daily basis,” Kendrick said. “There’s some sort of wow that happens every day.”