As a teen-ager playing for Beauregard High School in Opelika, Ala., Lardarius Webb earned All-State honors in his junior and senior years for his prowess at cornerback -- and quarterback?

That's right. Webb, the Ravens' third-round pick in April's draft, ran the option for Beauregard, rushing for 738 yards and 15 touchdowns and passing for 412 yards and four scores as a senior.

But to hear Webb talk about the past, he sounded almost apologetic about his play.

"The only reason I played quarterback is because they always put the best player at quarterback to help lead the team," he said. "In high school, that was the best spot for me. I liked quarterback, but I knew I would never be a quarterback in college. I just did it because I wanted to lead my team."

When he committed to Southern Mississippi, quarterback was not an option -- which was fine with Webb.

"I knew it [his true calling] wasn’t quarterback," he said. "I didn’t know what it was going to be, but I knew it wasn’t quarterback. I mean, I was a good quarterback – not to take away anything from that. I just knew that it wasn’t quarterback with my size. I just played it because I loved it."