Of cars and confidence: One UNC football recruit’s journey from Cary High to college
Trey Blue cringed when asked to recall arriving at Cary High as a roly-poly 250-pound freshman without college expectations. He was interested in car shows more than books and football.
But at a “meet the coaches” pre-season meeting Blue attended, Cary coach Coleman Tyrance spotted untapped potential in the big kid in the back.
“Coach Coleman saw something in me I didn’t see in myself,” Blue said. “He has done a lot for me.”
By Blue’s senior year, he has developed into one of Wake County’s top football prospects while ranked as a 3-star offensive tackle. He possesses a matured physique that qualifies as an oxymoron — “a slimmed down 6-foot-6, 320-pounder.” And his new great expectations also are beyond the football field.
“Football has opened the door for him as far as academics,” Tyrance said. “He has a plan for the next four years.”
Those next four years are committed to a North Carolina scholarship offer.
It wasn’t long ago Blue was more likely to be spotted at the monthly Cars and Coffee customized auto shows in Morrisville than he was to be found at Kenan Stadium, Carter-Finley Stadium or Wallace Wade Stadium.
“I’ve always loved cars,” he said in Cary’s gym on Monday when heavy rain moved practice indoors.
He was content envisioning a future working on cars and maybe owning a couple he’d save money to customize. Now, he sees a bigger picture. He’s considering majoring in business. He may choose another major, but his mindset has shifted to operating a automobile enterprise rather than working for someone’s car company.
“That’s the plan,” he said.
Growing into himself
None of this seemed imaginable when he strapped on pads as a seventh-grader at West Cary Middle School. Despite his size, his playing time was limited to the fifth-quarter — the post-game session for players who didn’t get in the game. His eighth-grade year was wiped out by the COVID pandemic.
Some frustrated athletes might have walked away from sports at that point, but he played on Cary’s JV team as a freshman. Although he struggled, his size kept him on coaching staff’s radar.
Blue was a starter early in sophomore season until he was benched, but the demotion opened his eyes. He watched and learned until a teammate’s injury returned him to the lineup.
“That’s when it flipped for me,” Blue said. “I realized I have so much potential, and I better use it. I started playing better. I started to love football more. And then I had a great junior year.”
The big freshman who couldn’t get out of his way and bench pressed only 90 pounds worked on his agility and improved his bench press to 325 pounds. Blue takes pride in his improved footwork and strength helping him to get to the second level to find linebackers and defensive backs to block.
“He’s a large human being getting used to his body, and he’s worked hard,” Tyrance said. “He moves amazingly well and has long arms. That’s what the college coaches liked about him.”
Leading the way
He’s also grown as a leader.
“He’s always encouraging his teammates,” Tyrance said. “He stays on the coach, too. If we’re doing eight sprints, and I’m happy with the effort after six and I blow the whistle, he’ll say, ‘Coach, we’re doing eight sprints.’”
Who’s going to argue with the big man?
Blue says he remains optimistic about the remainder of the season despite Cary’s 0-3 start. The Imps, who are coming off a bye week, play Green Level (0-3) at 7 p.m. Friday on the Gators’ field.
His optimism comes with a proven commitment over the summer months to the Imps. With his talent playing for a 1-9 team last season, he was a prime prospect to transfer to a title contender.
“I had a lot of people said I needed to transfer,” he said, “and a lot people thought I was going to transfer.”
So why not?
“Coach Coleman helped me with recruiting process,” Blue said. “It’s a connection I’ll have for life and I want to keep it going. And I love the guys on my team.”
Who’s going to argue with the big man with a college plan?
