Brayden Larson '24 Recruiting Profile

What a journey.   I started playing tackle football at the age of 5.  I’ve always been one of the smallest players on the field but that never bothered me.   In fact, I used it to my benefit.   My dad coached me from when I was 5 years old until 8^th grade, but he never pushed the sport on me and that’s probably why I grew to love it and excel.   My parents both graduated from LSU so we bled Purple and Gold.  I was a huge Tyrann Mathieu fan and what he could do on the field.   People began calling me Honey Badger because I was small, had quick instincts never feared delivering a hit. I learned very quickly that playing in a game was just an extension of how hard I worked and developed during every practice.  I don’t take my abilities for granted and always work hard to get better.  That was put to the test when I broke my right femur in 3 places my 7^th grade year making a tackle at practice.  I was wheelchair bound for 3 months and then rehab for another 4-6 months but was back on the field the next season. Yes, I still have the titanium rod in my right leg. 

I played on JV my Freshman season but was brought up to Varsity after my first 3 games as a Sophomore.   I was also named Defensive Captain for both my Sophmore and Junior year which was a huge honor.  

During my Junior season we had 2 coaching staff changes and 2 more after the season, but we just had to block out the noise and focus on what we could control on the field. I ended the season (9 games) with 106 tackles which was 1st in our District and 8^th in the Region.  

  Going into my Senior year I made the difficult decision to transfer schools and was fortunate to find a great place, not only to play football, but also a great academic school at Zephyrhills Christian Academy.  Ironically enough 4 other teammates of mine transferred to ZCA as well and 3 of us will finish our HS career together this year.  

Academically I hold a 2.9 GPA.   I’m currently retaking 2 English classes which, due to no one’s fault but my own, I failed previously.  I am currently earning a 3.0 in each of those classes and my overall semester GPA is a 3.5.    I have a strong interest in science and have been researching Sports Science degrees.   I feel this may be a great course to pursue due to my love of both sports and science.   I would also like to continue coaching youth football.   I’ve had the opportunity to coach alongside my dad the last few seasons coaching 7/8U football. I’ve acquired over 300 hours of volunteer time doing so, and It’s been fun watching these kids begin their football journey just as I did nearly 13 years ago.