By Sam Chandler, Samford Athletic Communications

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Michael Eubank's improbable path to becoming the starting quarterback at Samford University began far before he was even aware of the school's existence.
 
His unique journey began in the fall of 2010, playing under the Friday night lights of Centennial High School in Corona, Calif. As the senior starting quarterback at the perennial powerhouse, Eubank developed into a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, capable of moving the chains through the air and on the ground.
 
During his stellar senior season, Eubank threw for 2,831 yards and rushed for 1,329 more, compiling 41 total touchdowns. Eubank's efforts on the field didn't go unnoticed, as he was named the 2010 Southern California Offensive Player of the Year.  
 
Ranked as the nation's No.8 dual-threat quarterback in the class of 2011 by Rivals.com, Eubank received an abundance of scholarship offers from contending NCAA Division I programs. Schools such as Pittsburgh, Utah, Arizona and Arizona State all hoped to land the fleet-footed 6-foot-5 quarterback.
 
By the end of the recruiting process, the two schools at the top of Eubank's list were in-state rivals from neighboring Arizona.
 
"It came down to Arizona State and Arizona, and they ended up playing each other," Eubank said. "I said whoever ends up winning this game is where I'm going to go. Arizona State ended up winning by a blocked field goal."
 
As a result of that fateful game, Eubank's unique path to Samford traversed through Tempe, Ariz., home to Arizona State University.
 
After redshirting his freshman year in the fall of 2011, Eubank made his debut for the Sun Devils on Aug. 30, 2012. Facing Northern Arizona at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Eubank rushed for 36 yards and a touchdown en route to 63-6 victory.
 
"Playing in front of 78,000 people was amazing," Eubank said. "It was a good experience and I'm glad I got the opportunity to have it."
 
Eubank played in nearly every game during his redshirt freshman campaign in the fall of 2012, alternating at quarterback with current Sun Devil starter Taylor Kelly. Over the course of the season, Eubank accounted for eight touchdowns and over 550 yards of total offense. 
 
Prior to the 2013 season, Eubank believed he would be involved in a variety of packages designed to utilize his size, speed and strength.  At season's end, however, Eubank had only five pass attempts and 13 rush attempts, due to the coaching staff's decision to rely exclusively on Kelly.
 
"I thought things were going to go well, and they didn't go as well as I thought they would," Eubank said, "but everything happens for a reason."
 
That reason, as Eubank would soon discover, began to materialize not too long after the disappointing season. Instead of retaining his backup role in Tempe, Eubank made the decision to transfer the following winter.  
 
"I just didn't feel like that was the right place for me anymore," Eubank said.
 
Eubank first heard of Samford from one of his strength and conditioning coaches at Arizona State.
 
"When I decided to transfer, one of the strength and conditioning coaches told me about a school in Alabama named Samford," Eubank said. "How the previous quarterback threw for 'x' amount of yards; how it was a good place for me and a good fit."
 
During his exit meeting with Arizona State offensive coordinator Mike Norvell, Samford's name once again popped into the conversation. Norvell told Eubank of Samford's recruiting interest, encouraging him to seriously consider the university.
 
"When I went to my exit meeting with my coach, he told me about a school that had contacted him, which was Samford University down in Birmingham, Alabama," Eubank said. "He said that that school runs the same exact offense as we do and I really believe that you'll go down there and make a difference and be effective. I highly recommend that you check out that school."
 
Eubank, who also visited Louisiana's McNeese State University, listened to Norvell's recommendation and took a recruiting trip to Samford following the 2013 season, hoping to find the ideal destination for the final two years of his college career.
 
"It was a big decision," Eubank said. "I talked it over with my family and we decided that Samford was the best place for me."
 
Eubank eagerly arrived to Samford last spring and was swiftly welcomed by his new teammates.
 
"When I first came to here, they took me under their wing immediately," Eubank said.
 
Over the course of the spring and summer, Eubank quickly adapted to the Bulldogs offensive system, earning the starting quarterback position for the 2014 season.
 
"Being that I came from Arizona State with the same exact offense, the only thing I had to learn was the new names and the new terminology," Eubank said. "I had to figure out the vocals of (Assistant) Coach (Travis) Trickett; figure out how he called out coverages, as well as how he called the blitz. I had to wash all that out from Arizona State and get reprocessed with him."
 
As the Bulldogs' starter this season, Eubank, a redshirt junior, has accounted for 1,584 yards of total offense and 12 touchdowns (six passing, five rushing, one receiving), leading the team to a 4-3 record.
 
Reflecting on the past, Eubank believes that his time spent at Arizona State has prepared him well for his current starting role.
 
"It has definitely calmed me down a lot when I go out there on the field," Eubank said. "Just playing in front of bigger crowds at USC, UCLA, against Oregon and teams like that, being able to play in front of those crowds, against those teams, has just helped my composure a lot. I'm more able to know my reads, know coverages and know the protections."
 
Eubank has grown into his role throughout the season, becoming more and more comfortable with every snap. As the full-time starter, he has been able to establish his own on-the-field rhythm, something he never had the chance to do at Arizona State.
 
"At Arizona State, I would have a certain amount of snaps that I played," Eubank said. "When you're out there, and you're playing, and you get into the game, you get into a rhythm. Then you get yanked, and then you get put back in, and then you get yanked. It's just fun being able to go out there and play all 76 snaps with my guys."
 
Having now played five Southern Conference games, Eubank has faced fierce conference rivals such as Chattanooga, Wofford and Furman. Through these games, Eubank has discovered the competitive and hard-hitting nature of SoCon football.
 
"It's not playing in front of 78,000 people, but I consider the competition level as bar none," Eubank said. "It's been excellent. It's been great."
 
Coming off of a career-high, 314-yard passing performance in Saturday's 45-0 rout of Furman, Eubank appears to be rounding into the best form of his career, poised to carry the Bulldogs on a late-season run. 
 
"I'm working my tail off," Eubank said. "I'm going to do whatever God allows me to do. I'm happy to be here."
 
On Saturday, Samford will play host to Concordia at 2 p.m. (CDT) in its 2014 Homecoming game to be held at Seibert Stadium. The game can be heard locally on FM 99.5 Nash Icon, or worldwide on the Internet at www.995nashicon.com.
 
The game can also be viewed in High Definition online via Samford Sports TV and the SoCon Digital Network. Tickets are available by calling 205-726-DOGS (3647) or by going to the ticket page at www.SamfordSports.com.