Highly-Rated Beck Ready to Begin Collegiate Career

Like most high school seniors, Larue Beck isn't quite sure what he wants to be when he grows up. (Not that he needs to worry; there are 50-year-olds in the same boat).

But at least he's got an idea.

"When I was little," he says, "I would go to construction sights and collect some of the scrap wood that had been thrown out and I would take it home and hammer on it and see what I could make. So, I don't know. I guess I'm leaning toward doing something in the construction business when I get out of college."

But right now, Coach Andy McCollum is tickled to death that Larue is about to enter college, especially his college.

Finishing his senior year at Marietta High School in Marietta, Georgia, Beck is one of the many highlights on perhaps the most talented recruiting class ever to make its way to MT.

If you happen to ask him about some of the awards and recognition's he earned while in high school, Beck utters sheepishly - "Where do I begin?"

Not that he needs to recall any of that on his own. Larue's reputation kind of precedes him.

His dossier reads like that of any prep blue-chipper who will be making their way to MT or any other football super-school. Among the most noticeable, however, is an All-State honor earned in Georgia's talent rich AAAA classification. Playing free safety - the position he'll most likely end up playing for the Blue Raiders - Beck posted 68 tackles and three interceptions last season despite missing three games with an injury and he's been recognized by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and Rivals100.com as not only one of the best defensive backs in Georgia but also the southeast. He's also been known to dally in basketball where he helped his team to a state title and track - a career he says could be resurrected in college, what with his 4.4 speed and experience in the 4 x 100 relay.

But for now, it's the gridiron that has Beck's attention - that and rejoining former Marietta teammate and current Blue Raider Nick McAffee.

"I can't wait to get there," says Beck, who chose MT over Clemson, Ole Miss and Tulane. "I'm ready to get out of this high school stuff and get on to something else. Hopefully, I'll get up there and get stronger and quicker and be able to help the team out."

As far as the construction aspirations are concerned, Blue Raider coaches and fans hope they include continuing to build on a program that posted its first-ever winning season in Division I football last year.

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