Central Catholic’s Brady Breeze, an athlete in every since of the word

Exclusive interview with the Oregon Ducks’ first 2016 verbal commitment

 

In high school football the word athlete is bantered about far too often. More times than not the word is used in place of “tweener”, a word used meant to describe a recruit whose size makes him a toss up say between cornerback or safety, running back or wide receiver, or safety and outside linebacker. Typically the undertone is the prospect is not quite big enough for one spot but maybe better suited for a different position at the next level.

When describing Central Catholic High School’s Brady Breeze the word athlete needs to be used but defined correctly. He is an athlete not because he is not big enough to play his given position in high school at the next level. He is an athlete because he plays free safety, wide receiver, running back, and returns punts for the Rams; the very definition of a true athlete.

Watching Brady play both sides of the ball another word used far too often but fitting of Brady is playmaker. Be it at running back, wide receiver, or at safety he’s heading to a spot on the field full tilt taking out whomever maybe in his way. This is especially evident when the 6’0”, 192 pound, tackling machine routinely flips ball carriers taking out their knees giving them no choice but to go airborne or get chopped down. Either way if Brady is hitting someone playing offense or defense he ends up going forward knocking someone on their backside.

In an exclusive Brady sat down for a one-on-one interview going over the 2014 season, a look ahead to 2015, and his recruiting process.

Brady, congratulations on a fantastic 2014 season. The Rams went 13-1 capturing the state title. How did the title run come together?

“We worked so hard over the summer, everything worked out well for us in the end. We did everything we needed to do to win. We knew if we played our best we’d win.”

The one blemish on the season was a 42-14 loss to national powerhouse St. John Bosco (Bellflower, California) on Sept. 12. What the experience like playing St. John Bosco for you and the team?

“The game was awesome. Our defense held their quarterback (Josh Rosen, widely considered the top quarterback in the 2015 recruiting class, committed to UCLA) to something like 98 yards passing with no touchdown passes. We lost that game because we fumbled twice and they scored on both those recoveries. Knowing no other team in Oregon is as good as St. John Bosco, the game gave us a lot of confidence going into our schedule.”

Looking ahead, what can fans of the Rams expect from the team in 2015?

“We have a lot skill guys coming back. We lost a lot on defense; two cornerbacks, two linebackers, a safety, and two defensive linemen. We do have a lot of guys that received a lot of playing time coming back next season. Our lineman will need to step up. We need to make sure the guys are lifting in the offseason. Our backup quarterback from this season is returning. He’s good, he got a lot of playing time this year.”

What is the strength of this year’s football team?

“We were like brothers. We went to a team camp in the offseason that helped bring all of us together. All the guys with D-I offers were playing for the team not for themselves. No one was selfish. It was all about winning and not playing for individual stats.”

What are your strengths on the field?

“My dad has been teaching me since I was a little kid helping me prep for these moments. I watch a lot of film so my pre-snap read lets me know where they are going. I get to my spot before the ball is snapped. I’m physical, I lay out the guy with the ball and I have good ball skills.”

Grade your performance in 2014, how well did you do?

“I thought I did pretty good this year. I know I can do better. I’m looking back on how I played trying to improve and get better all the time.”

Did you receive any individual honors?

“So far I’ve been named Conference Defensive Player of the Year.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“My personal goal is to have a bigger stronger body, to get more physical, work on my footwork, one-on-one stuff, coverage skills, and my tackling. When I’m running the ball I want to make sure I’m seeing the holes, running the correct routes, and that I’m sharp and tight all the time.”

How will your role change this year compared to 2015?

“I returned punts this year and should start returning kickoffs again next year.”

You committed to Oregon back in mid-July, are any schools still actively recruiting you right now?

“Alabama sends me like five or six letters a week. Notre Dame, Washington State, Boise State, Arizona State, Cal, Oregon State, and USC all email me. Oregon and Washington have sent a couple of letters. I’ve talked with Washington coaches too.”

When recruiters talk to you what position are they recruiting you to play?

“I’m primarily being recruited at safety. Alabama is looking at me as a wide receiver. Oregon has me at safety and athlete too. I think I’m better at safety.”

What were the main factors that steered you towards committing to Oregon?

“Oregon is like a family. Everyone there is super nice. All the coaches pay attention to my games. They even know the scores of our games, really made me feel welcomed.”

Did you go to any college camps last summer?

“I went to camps at Oregon, UCLA, and Stanford. I plan on going to a couple of camps this summer. I want to work on getting better.”

Is there a college or NFL player you like watching play?

“Growing up I liked John Boyett (Oregon safety, Colts (2013) and Broncos (2013-14). On the field not off. I had posters of him on my wall. I loved the way he hit people, covered pretty well too.”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“My dad and my uncle have pushed me to be the best player I can be. My dad used to make me watch Tim Tebow (Florida Gators) to see how he played the game. My dad would make it fun for me. He would never scream or yell but quietly taught me how to get better. He really helped me with my confidence.”

Brady’s uncle is former Oregon safety Chad Cota. Cota played eight seasons in the NFL playing for the Carolina Panthers (1995-97), the New Orleans Saints (1998), Indianapolis Colts (1999-2001), and St. Louis Rams (2002).

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I love hanging with the guys. It’s a family. We’re battling together in the war, laying people out, and getting the crowd into the game. It’s a fun feeling you don’t get anywhere else. When the game comes you get to show people what you’ve been working on all year long. I just love the game.”

 

Brady was the first player to commit to the Oregon Ducks 2016 recruiting class; there are now two others (QB Seth Green, MN and WR Dillon Mitchell, TN). The Ducks are very strategic when offering players being efficient by not passing offers out to just anyone but focusing on players they feel can help keep their program one of the best in the nation year after year.

Without over stating the offer, getting an offer from Oregon, especially this early in the game, is an honor in and of itself which should help highlight just how great of a high school player Brady truly is at this point in his career. Good enough SEC powerhouse Alabama is still after him even though he has already committed to in-state Top 5 program Oregon.

Brady has tremendous upside barely scratching the surface of his athleticism and on the field IQ. He has a winning pedigree being part of back-to-back 6A state football championships dominating the opposition throughout the state of Oregon. Watching him grow into a force on the field at the collegiate level for years to come will be fun to see.

Quick Trivia Question:

Who was the first player to score a touchdown for the Carolina Panthers?

Answer: Brady’s uncle Chad Cota. Take one guess how I know the answer to that question!

 

Photo credit: Danny Sandoval; Brady Breeze in action.