Tulsa gets pledge from Brady
Although 5-foot-11, 190-pound cornerback Jeremy Brady recently moved from Red Oak (Texas) to Little Rock (Ark.) Pulaski Academy, Tulsa coaches never lost track of him. That connection paid off, as Brady has given a verbal commitment to the Golden Hurricane.
"I just committed to the University of Tulsa," he told InsideTulsaSports.com on Thursday afternoon. "I have spoken to Coach (Van) Malone, and we are both excited about my decision. I'm sure he shared the news with Coach (Bill) Blankenship."
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Brady attended a Junior Day at Tulsa this spring, and after discussing his future with his family, he decided TU was the right place.
"My family and I sat down, we discussed our plans for my future, and we believed that Tulsa was a great fit for me," he explained. "When I was there for Junior Day, I just loved the environment, and it just hit home with me. I just wanted to be a part of their program."
As a junior last season at Red Oak, Brady recorded 89 tackles, four interceptions and two forced fumbles. He was named to the Texas Class 4A All-State first team by TheOldCoach.com. The publication also listed him as an All-Area and All-District 15-4A selection.
"I'm a sure tackler, I can come up and play close to the line and be an extra linebacker if needed," he said when asked about his strengths on the field. "Also, I play the ball well when it's in the air."
Tulsa was the first program to extend an offer to Brady, but several others were in the hunt.
"North Texas was looking to offer me," he said. "Oklahoma State said I was high on their board, and also Houston and Princeton."
Brady says his commitment to Tulsa is solid, and he is glad to have the decision out of the way.
"I am glad the big decision is behind me, and I can take a deep breath and keep moving forward," he described. "It is just motivation to me that I have to work even harder, not just for my senior season in high school, but for college as well."
While he just recently joined the program at Pulaski Academy, Brady has made a big impression on Head Coach Kevin Kelley.
"Jeremy is a fantastic young man and an excellent football player," said Kelley. "He works extremely hard in the weight room and on the field and has a true desire to get better. He puts in a lot of extra time on the field and watches a lot of film. He is the strongest defensive back I have ever coached.
"He parallel squats 505 pounds and bench presses 315 pounds. He will come up and attack in the running game and plays the ball extremely well. He could play receiver, safety or cornerback in college in my opinion. Again, he is an awesome kid."
Luke Matheson, the publisher of ArkansasVarsity.com echoes the sentiments of Coach Kelley.
"Jeremy Brady is a tremendous defensive back," said Matheson. "I have had the chance to see him in 7-on-7 action multiple times this summer, and if the ball comes near him, he makes a play. I love his ball-hawking abilities, and he is going to make a tremendous college football player for Tulsa.
"He has a great attitude, and puts out 100% effort at all times. I look for him to be one of the top players in Arkansas by the end of football season."
Brady is the tenth 2012 prospect to give a verbal commitment to Tulsa, and the fifth in five days. For Tulsa's full 2012 commitment list and highlight video of Brady, use the links in the upper right corner of this story.
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