Ryan Becker finished his high school career with a national championship win, completing 8 of 11 passes for three touchdowns. The 56-7 victory against Lakeland capped an impressive 29-1 record. In two years, the St. Thomas Aquinas quarterback completed 63 percent of his passes, totaling 3,747 yards and 56 touchdowns. Guess who is still looking for a college?

At 6-0, 190-pounds, Becker more than established himself as one of the best in the state of Florida -- if not the southeast. He guided the Raiders to a pair of 5A state titles while finishing this past season with a streak of 129 pass attempts without an interception.

In his last six games (all against playoff teams), he completed 52 of 77 (68 percent) for 727 yards and 17 touchdowns against only one interception. If you look at the last 6 games of 2007 and 2008 combined (all 12 games against playoff teams), he threw for 28 touchdowns with only one interception, and he also ran for five scores, yet this quality football player finds himself without any options with less than two weeks before national signing day.

''I am stunned,'' Becker said. ``I am at a loss for words when it comes to why schools have not shown more interest.''

NO GOOD OFFERS

While many had him penciled in to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where his 4.3 grade point average was a major selling point, the Quakers have not offered what he and his father, Matt, thought they would. The options are dwindling, and while Raiders coach George Smith and his staff continue to sell one of the Raiders most productive passers ever, time is running out.

Becker's career began as a junior when he led the Raiders to a win against Cardinal Gibbons, and 28 victories later, he was considered one of the players on a talented team that would certainly have a pen in hand Feb. 4, joining his teammates. But things have not worked out the way most felt they would after guiding St. Thomas to a win against Kissimmee Osceola.

''We never sat back, even when the letters started to come in from schools such as Louisville, North Carolina State, USF, Tennessee, Vanderbilt or Wake Forest last spring,'' Matt Becker said. ``We were proactive, making sure that Ryan had every chance to prove that he indeed belonged.''

The Beckers spent the offseason on the road, traveling to Georgia Tech, Virginia, Louisville, North Carolina State, USF, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and even out to Dallas to see SMU.

STRONG EFFORTS

Then, his senior season started, and while the interest from the schools dropped off, Becker's performance never did. This past year alone, he helped the offense score 695 points and 98 touchdowns. The Raiders scored touchdowns 66 out of 82 times (80 percent) in the red zone. The team scored at least 35 points in every game.

From an individual standpoint, Becker broke the all time and single season St. Thomas passing yardage, completions and completion percentage records, as well as the single season touchdown passing mark, and tied the career touchdown passing mark.

''It's a huge surprise that more teams have not jumped all over Ryan,'' said Charles Fishbein of EliteScoutingServices.com. ``If you ever watched him play, it's amazing that some program hasn't realized that the kid wins games and knows how to lead. He has so many qualities that many quarterbacks who have already committed don't even come close to.''

Fishbein felt that Mid-American Conference schools, which have done well with St. Thomas athletes, would understand how well coaches prepare the Raiders' athletes. Becker also had the stats that many have not been able to pile up.

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