Brayden Thomas '23 Recruiting Profile

From the first moment I stepped on the baseball field at five years old, I knew I was made for football.  My dad desperately wanted me to follow in his footsteps as a 9th-inning closer, but I felt strongly that I should be tackling an opposing teammate on the gridiron. A 49ers fan since birth, by that time I had watched San Francisco chase a Superbowl ring for multiple seasons. Luckily, my mom could see it in me, too, and she convinced my dad I was made for something other than what he had planned. 

My size, even when I was young, would determine that I was made for an offensive line. The coaches saw something in me early on and immediately put the pigskin in my hand. I became a Center and haven't looked back. I have played both tackle and flag football, using the seasons of the latter to increase skill and speed, since the age of six.

As I entered high school in 2019, I was excited for things to come. Unfortunately, I was beat out of a starting position by a Center who was familiar to the coaching staff. That year I learned the hard lesson about being the new kid on the block.

The years 2020-21 were extremely difficult due to COVID-19 and some personal issues. At home, my family suffered some major blows, as I lost three grandparents in nine months.  Distance-learning became the standard during the pandemic and my grades suffered greatly because of it. During my sophomore year, I was informed the fall football season would not be happening. There were some scrimmage games in the league during the following spring, but nothing even slightly resembling a full season for my junior varsity year. 

In the summer of 2021, my family moved into a different high school district.  I immediately snapped out of my funk. I got serious, got into the gym, and started football workouts with my new team. The transfer from the only high school I had known to the school I am currently thriving in was the best thing that could have ever happened. I am back in school full-time (as of this writing) and excelling at all things academic, athletic and social. I was named All-League, the only offensive player to receive the award for my team this year, and am excited for my senior year. I have found my footing and my home in this small town.

As a versatile student-athlete, I believe my skills are sufficient to compete at the college level. My ideal athletic experience would be one where I could make a contribution early in my collegiate career, hopefully as a freshman. I strive to be an impact player, always looking at how to help my team win. I don't stop until the whistle blows and I always follow through.

My hope is to pursue football as a career and my dream is to eventually play professionally. While I'm not 100% certain what I want to do if I don't turn pro, my plan right now is to pursue a college degree in Criminal Justice. I'm a rule-follower by nature and I would like to turn that natural instinct into a rewarding career. If my talent, skill and love for the game of football doesn't take me beyond the age of 22, I know football will be a part of my life, in some way, until my dying day.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

-Brayden