Prolific 2017 Oklahoma Dual-Threat QB Brandon George Gives Insight on Southern Illinois Commitment

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

This is the time of year when various college football teams come up with steals swiping away top talent and under the radar gems from perceived top collegiate programs. On Sunday, Brandon George announced he had committed to Southern Illinois University. Score a steal for the Salukis.

High school football fans in the state of Oklahoma are well aware of George. The 6-1, 205 pound, dual-threat talent has been a fast rising star with Jones High School jumping onto the scene during his sophomore season. In 2014, George threw for 1,696 yards with 15 touchdowns and ran for 181 yards with four more scores. The steady first year in the pocket as a starter truly paid off during his junior campaign running rough-shot over 3A competition passing for 3,324 yards with 32 scores while carrying the pigskin for 1,002 yards with 15 additional trips to the end zone.

Recruiting interest and offers hit stride in 2016 for George picking up steam after he headed to Dallas in the off-season winning Rivals’ Quarterback Challenge. The Longhorns, under senior leadership from their quarterback, had a chip on their shoulder in 2016 looking to bounce back from a 13-1 season that ended in the semifinal round of the playoffs. George was masterful within the offense hitting 71 percent of his pass attempts covering 4,035 yards with 44 touchdowns against just five interceptions. He also led the team in rushing yards with 1,305 crossing the goal line 21 times. All the high-end production resulted in a perfect 15-0 season culminating with a 16-6 state title win against Plainview (Admore).

At least 12 teams dropped offers for George. Among the many wanting his playmaking abilities included Boston College, Dartmouth, Hawaii, Harvard, North Texas, Yale, Ohio, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Wake Forest. Just before the dead period began, Southern Illinois got into the mix thanks to a tip from Toledo.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the newest Saluki commit to get the inside scoop on how everything came to be.

Interview

Brandon, first, congrats on your commitment.

“Thank you.”

If you will, set the table for us. How did the recruiting process come about with Southern Illinois? Last we spoke SIU was not in the picture.

“I was not in contact with them then. I had not learned about them at that time. None of their coaches had talked to me or recruit me. About two weeks ago they started talking to me. I got a message from a coach on Twitter. They saw my highlight tape and liked it. The crazy thing, it did not come from my coaches. Coach (Brian) Wright from Toledo (OC and QB coach) had recruited me. They took someone else unfortunately, but I did not stop my communication with him. He saw the kind of player and person I was and sent the film to one of their coaches.

“Coach (John) Van Dam did an in-home visit. We built a relationship that I had not built with other coaches. He told me about the school and the offense they run. What they do fits in with what I do. They have a young staff, their head coach (Nick Hill) is in his thirties. They are building up the program. He’s been in the league (Green Bay Packers). That is a staff I want to play for. They are not just trying to find good athletes but good young men as well. They talked to my teachers, principle, and counselor about me. They want to help me become a better individual instead of just a better football player. That popped out to me. They did not want me to just win games for them, they want me to succeed in life over football.”

You announced your commitment on Sunday (Jan. 8) but when did you actually commit?

“I committed on my visit on my last day there, on Saturday. During that day, we went around campus and saw all of the facilities. We had a break before dinner. During that time instead of staying at the hotel I called me host, he is one of the receivers there. He picked me up from the hotel. He talked to me about his journey. I called my mom, dad, and my head coach to tell them what I was thinking. They all thought it was a great fit for me. I could tell that was the place for me, the place I wanted to be at in college.”

How did the commitment take place on Saturday?

“We were all at dinner, but before we all sat down to eat I told the Coach Hill and Coach Van Dam I would like to talk to them. Everyone was hanging out, all the recruits and other coaches. I went outside with them. First, I thanked them. I thanked Coach Van Dam for doing the in-home visit with me. Committing was not just about me but about my family too. That made a connection with me and my family. I thanked him and I thanked Coach Hill. I had a hard time finding a school that I wanted to be at and where I fit. I had bigger offers but did not find that fit. I thanked them for getting me out of this rough time. I am very fortunate for it. I thanked them for that. I told them I will do all that I can to work my butt off to get to the championship game. They all congratulated me.”

What was the reaction of the coaches when you committed on the spot?

“I think they were figuring with me talking to them in private it would be something of that sort in the conversation. Their face lit up when I told them. I think my smile told them what my plan was. They were both happy and I gave both of them a hug. We went inside and celebrated. It is more than just football to them and to me.”

Knowing you were about to commit, were you nervous?

“I was nervous, nervous would be the word. I was nervous because this is my future that I am committing to. That is one thing I told my parents, once I committed that was it. I’m not going to lead someone on and then drop off. That was kind of nerve racking knowing what I was doing, but it was okay because that is what I wanted.”

Do you plan on recruiting other players to join you?

“That is kind of funny because DJ Hampton, he’s a running back from Sanford (FL), I give him credit for my commitment. He is part of the reason I committed. He recruited me. I did my research on him. Seeing him commit, that is a person I could see myself in the backfield with in college. I talked to him before and after I committed. I will help recruit. I want to win. I know a lot of kids here in Oklahoma that are under recruited. It is not normal for SIU to get to Oklahoma. I’m the first for this staff from Oklahoma. I will send tape to the coaches and help however I can.”

Let’s backtrack a little. During your official at SIU, what were your thoughts on the school and the facilities?

“The school is amazing, a lot of it is brand new. I want to get into a science major. They have a very good pre-med program and kinesiology program. That was a big thing for me. Academics are important to me. The school is big but not too big. I can walk class to class. There is a lot to do in town. It all stuck out to me.”

Were there any teams that made your commitment to SIU difficult?

“It was hard telling coaches that I had committed to another school. That is never something you want to do, let someone down. Knowing they had committed time to me in the recruiting process, it is all difficult. There were a few teams that made me think about waiting a little longer. I thought in my head, what is important to me. I had a checkmark next to SIU. There was no reason to take a chance on waiting.

Brandon, again, congrats on your commitment and have fun on National Signing Day.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: George family; No. 5 Brandon George with father Tom George (left), Coach Van Dam (left center), and Nick Hill (right).

Photo credit: George family; Brandon George at SIU.