See if this description sounds familiar: SMU signs a new quarterback candidate who arrives at SMU brimming with confidence and eager to show just why he was recruited. He's not overwhelmingly big, but big enough. He's not a pure sprinter, but he's fast enough to elude many would-be pass rushers. His last name is stitched across the back of his shoulders: "ROMO."

No, the Mustangs are not welcoming former quarterback Mike Romo back to the field this spring. But the comparison between the Mustangs' former passer and Jerad Romo, who signed last week with SMU after completing his second season at Antelope Valley (Calif.) College are not without merit.

Jerad Romo (who is not related, although he does have an uncle named Mike Romo) is a little bigger, at 6-2 and 210 pounds, and unlike Mike, Jerad is left-handed. But like Mike, Jerad is a tough signal caller who relies on his guile as much as on his physical gifts.

"I'd say my biggest strengths are my arm -- I have a pretty strong, accurate arm -- and avoiding the rush," Jerad Romo said. "I'm pretty good at avoiding hits, buying time to allow more time to find a receiver."

Romo is one of two junior college quarterbacks signed last week by the Ponies (leaving the Mustangs' roster with eight quarterbacks); SMU also signed former Tyler Junior College quarterback Tony Eckert (6-3, 190) -- a decision that doesn't bother Romo at all.

"I know they have their starter (Chris Phillips) back, and I knew they were going to sign two junior college QBs," he said. "They had some different ideas than some other schools, but they were honest with me from the start. I'm not worried about the competition, because that just makes everyone work harder. Bring it on -- let the best man win."

If his track record at AVC is any indication, Romo is indeed unafraid of a challenge. As a freshman, he battled for the starting quarterback job at AVC before his season was cut short by an injury.

"He's very tough, physically and mentally," AVC head coach Brent Carder said. "His freshman year, we had a disastrous year, and a big part of the reason was because he broke his (right, non-throwing) collarbone in his second game. I think it was pretty severe -- it was broken all the way through, I think -- and I didn't even know he'd done it. He finished the series -- he even ran the ball twice himself, and only after he came off the field at the end of the series, he said, 'Coach, I think I might be hurt.' "

"It hurt real bad, but I just thought it was a 'stinger' that would go away," Romo said. "I just love the game of football so much, and I love to compete -- I don't ever want to come off the field for an injury if it's not that serious, and I didn't think it was that serious right away."

But the injury was serious, as the collarbone had snapped almost all the way through. Carder said that the injury scared off more potential college recruiters.

"Because he missed most of his first year, he didn't get any of the hype, any of the attention," Carder said. "But I just got back from watching the (California community college) state championship game, and he's every bit as good a quarterback as the two who had their teams in that game. I assure you, there aren't too many community college quarterbacks any better than he is. SMU has themselves a real find, and I think they know it."

But Romo returned to the starting lineup in 2003, amassing 130 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, while throwing for 1,731 yards, 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions. So it's no surprise that Romo wasn't entirely without suitors. He received an offer from Baylor before the Bears signed former Blinn Junior College quarterback Dane King, and also received interest from Syracuse, San Jose State, Alabama-Birmingham, Ball State and Idaho.

"I just felt comfortable at SMU when I visited, with the players and the coaches, and I liked the academic programs," Romo said. "The fact that we're going to have a new offensive coordinator is a good thing, because it means we're all starting at the same level. We're all going to learn together. I'm going to come in and work to try to earn the job."

Likewise, the Mustangs' struggles in the 2003 season also were not a deterrent for Romo.

"Yeah, 0-12 bothers me, but after my first year at AVC, we were 1-9," he said. "SMU has a lot of young guys, and it's up to the players and coaches to bring everyone together. That's where I come in. One thing I've always had is a strong work ethic -- whether I'm out there on the field or backing up, I'm going to work as hard as anyone on the team. I think SMU is a real good situation for me. As long as I get on the field and get a chance to compete, I think we can make work."