When there I knew several people who had skipped a year at one point or another and thus got to college at age 17. Back then it was a problem for them because they were under age for beer and wine. :)
I assume that was the case with this guy although skipping two years is pretty unusual.
I actually went to college myself at 17 b/c my parents started me in school a year before I was old enough (private school). It took me a long time to get over high school and college insecurities. Even then, though, I was a 17 yr old freshman- this kid is a sophomore ...and a maroon at that!