Ten years. That’s about three times the average length of an NFL player’s career, according to its player’s association.

It’s also how long Alex Leaf has been a three-sport athlete, as well as an outstanding student. In fact, he was recently named to the all-state academic football team. His 4.1 grade-point average puts him firmly on the cusp of being in the top 10 percent of students at Rock Falls High School.

If he can crack that top 10, Alex will likely attend Sauk Valley Community College on a full scholarship that is provided to high school students in that illustrious 10 percent, then move on to a 4-year school like Northern Illinois University.