Thanksgiving on Easter?

Smith | 4.07.10

“I’ve been praying for this for so long.  You know I had to go to church today to say thank you,” was what Akron Firestone (OH) offensive line recruit Tommy Brown told me on Easter Sunday when I asked him how he celebrated his commitment to Ohio State.  “I mean, it was always the Buckeyes.  Since I was a little kid, I didn't really follow anyone else.  I've been talking to them since I was a sophomore.  I call Coach Bollman every week and we’ve built a great relationship. It's been really cool getting to talk to him every week. It’s all just been a blessing."

When asked to describe the scene on his visit when the offer was extended, he said, “I don’t even know how to put it.  I mean, it was almost overwhelming.  My mom was crying, I wanted to scream I was so excited.  I was down there with Doran Grant and he was all excited for me.  I mean, Ohio State is a really big deal.” 

Asked to expand on his feelings about the school, Brown replied, “I just fell in love with it.  I mean, I'm looking for tradition mostly.  That's why I was so interested in Ohio State for so long.  When I went down there for the very first time, it was right after my freshman year.  It was just crazy.  I was like a little kid in a candy store. I mean they have so much history, so much tradition.  And it's everywhere, you know?  It's not just for the players either but for like people in the community, the parents, the fans, everybody.” 

Before I can get my next question out, “And they’re in the community every day.  I’ve always been taught to do stuff for my community.  Anything I can get my hands in to get involved with the community, I'll do it.  I've been involved with a program to go around to elementary schools and read to kids.  That's been really cool.  Sometimes they'll write to me after and I'll write them back.  Then last year we did Thanksgiving baskets through the church.  So we were passing out baskets for the homeless.  Trying to provide a little something for them and their families so they can have a Thanksgiving.  My family’s been really lucky so we want to pass it on.  I mean, these are some tough times and all.  My mom almost lost her job at one point.  It's just been a blessing to keep having good things happen like the Ohio State offer so we want to share that.”

Brown is also enthused over the opportunities Ohio State offers in the classroom.  “The academics are top notch.  Most of all I am looking for great academics," Brown said. "I wanted a school with great history and a great reputation but I have a future to plan for too.  Coach B always asks me ‘how are the grades’.  That's the number one thing.  I mean he’d ask me how I’m doing, how's my family doing, do I have any problems.  Just as long as they kept asking questions, that was good to me!  But it’s more about off the field things so they can get to know me.  I really liked that.”

It sounds like Brown’s doing a good job of laying the ground work for that future now, “I’m carrying a 3.6 GPA right now.  Honestly, my ACT score isn't that high.  So I want to take that again.  I’ve never been a very good test taker.”

As for other ways he describes himself, Brown said, “I'm never disrespectful.  Anybody can tell you that.  I always look up to my coaches & do what I'm told.  I try to be a gentleman.  I'm not a cocky guy at all.  So you won't be seeing me on the news for doing something stupid.  I don't party a lot.  I'm pretty laid back.  I sign autographs for whoever wants to come up to me.  I keep it together, you know?  I'm just a cool guy.” 

He strives to ‘keep it together’ on the field as well, “I guess, I'm not as nasty as I want to be on the field but at the same time I guess it's good that I can keep my composure.  I don't want to get angry or do anything stupid that could hurt the team.  I just do what I'm told and try to do it to the fullest.  I like run blocking.  We don't pass much anyway so it's pretty much straight run, run, run.  I'm hard working.  I watch a ton of film.  I'm a tough player.  I'm going to give it my all every down, every single play.  I mean, whether it's in the classroom or on the field, I'm just going to go as hard as I can.”

Brown is aware of the need to work on some aspects of his game as well, “Talking to the Ohio State coaches, really talking to any coaches, lineman coming in all know how to run block.  But when it comes to pass pro, it's hard.  It's different from high school to college.  That's the biggest thing I need to work on.  That's why I study up on game film so much.  I want know my man, have his moves down, and be ready to counter.”

Despite being thankful for all of the opportunities football has provided him, he is happy to end the recruiting process.  “Yeah, I’d say so.  Basically, just to get everyone off my back.  It's been getting real crazy.  There’s a lot of pressure.  So, I think it's going to die down now.  But you never know.  If it doesn't or if it gets worse, I'll have to handle it.  It’s hard to tell these schools ‘no, thank you’ when they’ve been so good to me, but I don’t want to waste anyone’s time.“ 

Though there may be one school Brown won’t fret over turning down, “Michigan was really the only trip I didn’t like.  Now I’m not saying that just because I'm a Buckeye fan.  But going up there, to me it just was not organized.  Going to different colleges, you know I've been to a few different colleges and everything is pretty much organized and everything's pretty cool.  But going up to Michigan was different to me.  I mean I understood that they were trying to get things organized with the new coaches and all.  But it was just hard for me to adapt to that.  They're still a great football team.  I don't have anything against them at all though.  It just wasn't a good fit for me.  Plus it's just too far away from home.  I couldn't see myself up there.  I've been in Ohio all my life.”

And the final message Tommy Brown wanted to send to Buckeye fans everywhere?  “Basically just look for me cause I'm coming!  I don't know if I'll get it but I like my number 55 so keep an eye out!  I've had that number my whole high school career so hopefully I can get it down there too.  I can't wait, man.  Just today I met Antonio Underwood and he’s pumped too.  That competition is going to be good when we hit campus so look out!” 

Oh, and you might also want to watch out for a really big dude that looks like the guy in the picture at the top, delivering turkey baskets on the last Thursday of next November.  Considering how backwards this holiday was, maybe he’ll make his rounds in an Easter costume.  

Current Ohio Ranking

53. Tommy Brown
6'5", 300 / OT / Firestone
Early Projected Ranking: 5.7/

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