Uhlorn has sports as bargaining chip to Ivy League future

August 8, 2011 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Josh Uhlorn is a three-sport athlete so it's not surprising he took a college recruiting tour this summer prior to beginning his senior year.

"My parents and I visited seven of the eight Ivy League schools, every one except Columbia," Uhlorn said. "I like math and science. I'd like to get into aerospace or some type of engineering. I have a decent chance getting in because of athletics. Without that you're going against the smartest people from everywhere. They told me I  was ranked in the top sector of athletes trying to get in."

What that means is athletics may be the deciding factor as to whether or not Uhlorn is a future Ivy Leaguer. Uhlorn's top three choices are Princeton, Dartmouth and Cornell.

Uhlorn is currently second in his class academically. Carries one of those weighted GPA's well above 4.0. He's the kind of young man Perry football coach Preston Jones would waste no time allowing his daughter to out with if she were 15 years older. He's not a record-setter, but a solid athlete complete with most if not all the intangibles.

"Josh is a very good athlete and wants to compete in college," Jones said, "The Ivy League. That's probably where his future lies. He's an extremely bright kid."

Uhlorn carries himself like an Ivy Leaguer. Well spoken. Polite. Knows where he is going and what he wants to do. A score approaching 2200 on the SAT is proof of that. Work ethic? Monday morning extra conditioning for players that requited it was on tap at 5:45. Uhlorn showed up and did the extra work even though it was not necessary on his part.

It doesn't hurt matters when one peers at Uhlorn's sports resume. He is a four-year starter for the Pumas. He's played in the secondary since his freshman year, the second year Perry was open. Last year he took control of the offense behind center to go with his chores as a safety. He was second-team all-region last year . He'll supply needed experience on a team that has little this season.

"We don't have a lot of experience coming back this year, but Josh is one we do have back," Jones said. "it's nice to have your quarterback back, and someone as intelligent as Josh is. You never have to tell him the same thing twice."

Uhlorn takes his two-way role seriously. Even though he isn't supposed to take part in punt-block drills, he managed to slip in on one recenlty.

"He laid out to block one and had a big collision," Jones said. "He needed eight stitches to close a cut on his chin and banged up his wrist. It was our fault letting him go in."

When Uhlorn enrolled at Perry, he liked basketball more. He gave playing three sports a shot his freshman year. The committment and time spent hasn't deterred him from reducing his sports load. He plans on finishing out a three-sport career in his final year toling for the Pumas.

"I wanted to try three," Uhlorn, who is a defensive standout in basketball, and also runs the quarter mile and relays in track, said. "I like football more now. I came in thinking I would play receiver. They shifted me to quarterback my sophomore year, and I've felt comfortable. I never planned on being a quarterback."

Uhlorn has found track to be perhaps the most refreshing of the three sports. It's hard work, but a different atmosphere than the other sports.

"Track is more relaxed and social," Uhlorn said. "It's a chance to see the real side of coaches when they are not stressed out like in football. They are more relaxed."

As one of only five returning gridrion starters, Uhlorn is ready to provide leadership. To Jones, leadership is an innate trait of his quarterback. A perfect match for the position.

"I have confidence in the guys moving up for us, that they can do the job," Uhlorn said. "I realize my role will be different as one of the guys returning. I'm looking forward to the season.

"Hopefully, playing three sports will help get me a shot at an Ivy League school."