FORT WAYNE – The explanations flowed easily.

Robert Marve was an immature, brash 18-year-old when he entered Miami as Florida’s Mr. Football in 2007, the kid who broke Tim Tebow’s state passing records. His focus was on football, not school.

And the drama ensued:

The broken arm and wrist suffered in a car accident forced him to redshirt his first season for the Hurricanes.

The suspensions – the season opener for an off-field incident and the bowl game for missing a class – as a redshirt freshman.

The disagreements with the coaching staff that led to a decision to transfer – with limited options because coaches restricted the schools available.

The torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee after announcing his decision to go to Purdue, more than 1,000

miles from home.

The year of rehabbing and slowly acclimating to the “culture shock” of living in West Lafayette instead of Tampa or Miami.

Quite a journey over the last three years for Marve, a 21-year-old junior.

But Marve isn’t bitter about those experiences.

Instead, he said he’s happier than he’s ever been.

The attitude adjustment came with realizing the importance of academics.

It came with perspective.

It came with maturity.

Marve freely admitted this at the Big Ten media day in Chicago this month.

“If you would have asked me a year ago, would I be this happy and feeling this good about a situation, I don’t think I could have said yes,” Marve said. “I feel very good about my situation. My grades have never been better. My body has never been better, and I just got off an injury. My head coach has all the trust in the world in me. I feel good about all those things.

“It might have to do with just growing up. Everyone is a lot different from their freshman year of college to when they’re almost about to graduate. When I played as a freshman, you always say, ‘You’ve got four years to play.’ It sounds like forever. Now, it’s ‘You’ve got two and you’re out.’ I know it’s getting down to crunch time. I realize a lot of people are leaning on me. I want to have their back and do whatever I can for them.”

Purdue fans are expecting much, fueled by high praise from coach Danny Hope and Marve’s teammates.

They talk about the 6-foot-1, 210-pounder’s talent level: the arm strength that’s better than current NFL quarterback Curtis Painter, the speed and elusiveness that will help him evade defenders and the pinpoint accuracy.

They talk about his natural leadership abilities: that he was one of the players organizing summer workouts and holding players accountable.

They talk about his impressive turnaround academically: working with a tutor and taking 43 credit hours over the last year, including this summer in which he said he earned a 3.2 GPA.

“He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do to earn that quarterback spot,” said Hope, who didn’t announce Marve as the starter until mid-July. “Rehab-wise, leadership-wise, work ethic-wise, extra hours put into football and extra hours put into academics.

“He can make a difference for your football team.”

It sounds like a lot to live up to, especially for someone who hasn’t played in a game since Nov. 29, 2008.

As a redshirt freshman, Marve started 11 games for the Hurricanes and had more interceptions (13) than touchdowns (9). But he’s eager for a fresh start with the Boilers, who won five games last year.

“I want to get back out there and play so bad,” he said. “I want to put Purdue back on the map and get everything rolling.

“Purdue has given me inspiration again. I feel like we really have a shot at the Big Ten. I really want to show everyone else what we can do.”

sclardie@jg.net