Libertyville’s Schurr headed for West Point

At one point during the interview with the reporter talking to him about his decision to play football for the Army, A.J. Schurr responds affirmatively to the question.

“Yes, sir,” he said.

Later, when discussing his passion for playing quarterback, the versatile athlete who played everywhere on the field for Libertyville last fall says he likes “leading people.”

Yes, sir, A.J. Schurr seems like Army material.

And not even the senior himself would have necessarily thought that a year ago.

But he says kept an open mind and learned what the Army could mean for his future. Then when he went to New York earlier this month to visit West Point, where he hung out with starting fullback Jared Hassin and played pool with quarterback Trent Steelman, he got even better perspective.

Humbled, perhaps.

“It was unbelievable,” Schurr said.

This week, Schurr accepted an appointment from the United States Military Academy, where he will continue his education and play quarterback for head coach Rich Ellerson. The Black Knights defeated Southern Methodist 16-14 in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl to complete their first winning season since 1996. Army also played Notre Dame at new Yankee Stadium.

A.J. Schurr: In the Army.

“My friends were like, ‘Aw, come on, Army? Why would you want to go to Army?’ ” Schurr said.

Why wouldn’t he?

“Just knowing the history of that campus,” Schurr said, “it’s really good.”

The future has Schurr excited — and not just the football part.

“We don’t know what our economy is going to be like in five years,” Schurr said. “Basically, with the Army, I’m guaranteed of having a job coming out of college. ... Some of the perks are second to none.”

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Schurr put up prolific passing numbers for Libertyville in his second season as the Wildcats’ starting quarterback, setting all kinds of school records.

The operator of the team’s spread offense, which coach Randy Kuceyeski installed to take advantage of Schurr’s athleticism and skill set, Schurr passed for 2,227 yards and 21 touchdowns, while completing 58 percent of his 246 passes. He also rushed for a team-best 468 yards and 11 TDs. He played defensive back and punted, as well.

But it’s quarterback that most appeals to him.

“I like having the ball in my hand,” Schurr said.

Schurr wound up earning all-state honors. His final high school season made colleges take notice.

Before committing to Army, he also weighed offers from The Citadel, Air Force, South Dakota and Illinois State.

“I think it helped a lot,” Schurr said of his senior season. “Junior year, I didn’t send out a lot of tape. Last year, I think the biggest school that looked at me was North Dakota State. So to say now that I’m going to West Point, it was quite a turnaround.”

Even his friends have had an about-face about the Army.

“It’s funny to see how their minds have changed,” Schurr said. “They’re like, ‘You could be playing in the Army/Navy game? You could be playing Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, that could be me.”

Yes, sir.