Titans Quarterback is Student First, Athlete Second

Aaron Midthus started his high school career with Tampa Bay Tech as a freshman on the junior varsity football team. But the veer/option offense the team used then didn’t fit his style of play, which relies heavily on the passing game. That’s why he ended up transferring to Middleton High.

When he realized that Jayson Roberts, who was a defensive coordinator during Midthus’s freshman season, was taking over as head coach at TBT and would be running a pro-style offense, Midthus said he immediately wanted to be involved. He came back to TBT this year.

The senior quarterback said he thinks he is settling into his new role quite well because of the familiarity he has with his teammates who remain from his freshman year.

“I knew all of these guys already, and I have really good chemistry with everyone already,” he said. “I know how things work here.”

Plus, Midthus, who currently has a 4.8 GPA, said he and his parents were more satisfied with his academics at TBT.

“It’s a better fit for both academics and football wise,” Midthus said.

Academics, he said, will always be the No. 1 priority to him.

“I am a student first, and then an athlete,” he said.

The quarterback said football has helped him in the classroom.

“Football helps me a lot with my grades because you have to be disciplined on the field, and if you’re disciplined on the field, you’ll be disciplined in the classroom, and you will get your grades to where they want to be,” he said. “If you’re in the classroom, you’re focusing on grades right now; I don’t worry about football until I get out here at 2:50. At 2:50, I am football ready.”

Midthus’ coach is aware of his dedication on and off the field and said that it helps set an example for the younger players.

“He does all the right things,” Roberts said. “He comes to class on time, he’s a straight-A student with an over 4.0 GPA, and he is watching game film in his spare time. He does all the things that normally you have to beg a guy to do — on his own.”

Midthus said it is too early to tell if he will play football in college, but he looks forward to studying physical training or sports medicine.

Midthus is 29-for-48 passing through three games, with 360 yards and one touchdown.

The Titans are 1-2 and can still claim another district title or even a state championship if they win the bulk of their district games. Their Class 7A-District 7 matchups begin this week when they visit Chamberlain High School at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23.