Barring an unforeseen change of mind, former Miami quarterback Robert Marve is expected to announce later this week he'll accept a scholarship to play for Purdue, a person familiar with the decision said Tuesday.
Marve, who had also considered walking on at Tennessee, wants to visit in person with members of his family before formally announcing his choice later this week. He has developed a comfort level with Purdue coaches and loves the opportunity to play in an offense where he can show off his passing and running skills.
Marve had all but announced a decision to play for Purdue when he began pondering walking onto Tennessee. Miami had not released him from his scholarship to play for the Volunteers.
When Tennessee became a possible option, Marve struggled with the choice, because he would have a chance to compete for the Volunteers' starting quarterback position in 2010, but would have to pay to attend Tennessee in 2009.
Marve will have two years of eligibility remaining, starting with the 2010 season.
His father, Eugene Marve, said earlier that they were moving deliberately in order to make the best possible decision.
"We took a semester off school to get this done and get it done right," he said last week. "So we think it's important to make the best and the right decision for him. He's taken his due process. We don't see this as a drag-along process. This is a month and a time that this decision should be made, because summer school starts next month and we want to be right on time with that."
Joe Schad is a college football reporter for ESPN.