“What’s he thinking?” Caller One said. “Does he really believe he can play down there?

“I guess so,” I answered.

“He’ll never see the field,” offered Caller Two.

“I guess we’ll have to wait and see,” was all I could utter in response.

That’s what I said. But what I thought about is what Maddox told me when we talked recruiting back in the summer of 1998. I remembered how I’d had a few doubts about him myself back then, just as UNC fans expressed doubts about him after he made a college choice that was not to their liking.

Oh, I realized shortly after Maddox led A.L. Brown to a state championship in 1997 that people like N.C. State and North Carolina wanted him. And why not? The kid was obviously good.

During the winter of ’97-’98, I saw enough football assistants at his basketball games to figure out that the Big Four schools were not only interested — they were excited. Once, I even saw Wolfpack head man Mike O’Cain make his way into the Wonders’ ancient Bullock Gym to watch Maddox shoot layups.

But the stakes grew during that summer of ‘98. That’s when Maddox started chatting about schools that are usually a level above the Big Four teams. That’s when he started mentioning national powers like Tennessee, Penn State and Nebraska. Finally, Maddox spoke two words that left me with my mouth hanging open — “Florida State.”

“Florida State?” I asked him skeptically. “They don’t recruit many people from around here.”

“Coach (Bobby) Bowden says they only recruit the people that they know can play for them,” Maddox answered matter-of-factly. “And, yes, they’re recruiting me.”

That ended our conversation.

I still figured for months that Maddox would wind up at UNC. That’s what everyone said, and there was good reason. I knew head coach Carl Torbush liked Maddox, and Maddox liked him when he spoke at the school’s football banquet. I also knew Tar Heel running backs coach Ken Mack had become a virtual member of the Maddox family.

Heck, I’m not exactly a Carolina fan, but I wanted him to go to Chapel Hill, nearly as much as Mack and Torbush. As a Heel, I figured he’d get to play, and the Post would get to see him a half-dozen times a year. That would be fun. Maddox is a likeable person, and a quality quote.

I admit I didn’t take his Florida State talk seriously for the longest time. I remember wondering why the mighty Seminoles would be excited about a North Carolina kid that was 6-0, and maybe 190 pounds. Not when they had their pick of the litter from a hundred Florida flyers, who were just as fast and lots larger.

Maybe, I speculated, Maddox had gotten a letter from Florida State — one of those letters that kids sometimes get — and he had convinced himself that he was high on their list.

I first admitted that Maddox wasn’t kidding himself —or me —one afternoon when I strolled into the A.L. Brown offices in search of a volleyball schedule.

Wonder head football coach Bruce Hardin popped out of his office just as I entered, saw me, and said, “Got someone I’d like you to meet.”

I was afraid it would be someone selling insurance.

It wasn’t.

It was Mr. Bowden himself and two of his assistants— one of whom was offensive line coach James Heggins, the North Rowan High grad.

My mouth was hanging open again.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out why that high-powered trio had just flown in from Tallahassee. And it didn’t take Mr. Wizard to figure out that these three fellows were dead serious about convincing Maddox he could play for the Seminoles.

Maddox, of course, eventually made Bowden and his bunch happy. At his press conference, Maddox toyed with a Tar Heel cap, before placing a Seminole cap on his head with a sheepish grin to let folks know he was Tallahassee-bound. “And by the way.” he added, “I won’t be red-shirting as a freshman.”

And not long after that, the doubters began calling.

With reason.

First, there was the wire story about Maddox running wild in a Seminole scrimmage. Then there was a second wire story about Maddox running wild in another scrimmage. Then there was a wire picture of Maddox and Bowden discussing the finer points of football.

So yep, callers, it looks like he’ll play. Yep, it looks like he’ll see the field, sooner rather than later, and yep, it looks like he’ll do OK against the big boys.

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The phone did ring Wednesday morning. On the other end of the line was Maddox’s mother, Pat. Maddox’s mom is her son’s biggest fan, so naturally she expressed no amazement that his college career has started a little quicker — and a little stronger — than anyone had a right to expect.

“I’m not surprised and I don’t think Nick’s surprised,” she said. “He works so hard. He’s doing his best to adjust to the speed of the college game. It’s a whole new level, but he’s a player, He’s a good player, and he’ll do fine.”

She volunteered the information that Maddox, known as “Zoom” during his high school days, is referred to as “Nick the Quick” by his new teammates, and that his roommate is fellow freshman sensation Anquan Boldin, a wide receiver.

“Nick the Quick” seems to be fitting in nicely off the field too. He showed up in Tallahassee in June to take summer classes, and quickly accumulated eight hours of credits. A proud mom reports that her son placed out of freshman algebra.

“Nick likes it,” she said. “His teammates treat him like a little brother, especially Travis Minor (the all-star junior whom Maddox currently plays behind). Travis is showing Nick a lot. Everyone is so team-oriented.”

The only worry for Mrs. Maddox right now, is the Seminoles’ game in Chapel Hill on September 25. She frets because she’s heard how Virginia fans treated Tar Heel quarterback Ronald Curry (who chose Chapel Hill over Charlottesville) when he returned to his home state last season.

“Ronald needed security,” she marvels. “I hope they won’t boo Nick in Chapel Hill.”

They may start out booing him on the 25th, but don’t expect it to last. Before this kid is done, the whole world might be cheering.

Even Tar Heel fans.

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