Bryan Harrison | Winchester Ma

Can you tell me a bit about your background and how you got into football?

I’m from Winchester, MA, and attend Winchester High School, where I am a two-time Captain, three-year starter, and four-year varsity player for the football team. I was selected for All-State, All-Conference, and 2x All-League honors. I started playing tackle football in the 3rd grade when my dad signed me up for Pop Warner, and have loved it since. 

What other sports or extracurricular activities are you involved in at school? How do they complement your football skills?

I run track in the winter and play lacrosse in the spring. Track has helped me become faster and more athletic. Lacrosse shares movement patterns with football, which helps me improve my angles and coverage skills. 

What position(s) do you primarily play, and how did you come to choose those positions?

I play middle linebacker. I have always been a well-rounded athlete and very physical, so Linebacker has been a great fit for me. I also love understanding the game at a deep level, so I very much enjoy reading offenses, calling defensive coverages, and being at the heart of the action.

Can you describe your playing style and strengths on the field?

I am an aggressive, physical linebacker who plays sideline to sideline and fills downhill. I have a high football IQ and study my opponent thoroughly. As a result of my passion for the sport, I always give 100% effort–both on the field, always playing to the whistle, and off the field, training my body and advancing my mental game

What areas of your game are you currently working to improve?

Right now, I am dedicating significant effort to optimizing my pass coverage, increasing the fluidity of my hips, and maximizing my ability to match to slots and RBs, man-to-man is the biggest thing I want to work on. 

How do you maintain your physical conditioning during the season and off-season?

In-season, I lift three to four times a week and make sure to be working on my flexibility and stretching to stay healthy. During the off-season, I work out six days a week, typically lifting four days a week and participating in football-specific drills on the field two to three days a week.  These workouts are in addition to winter track and spring lacrosse.; I am at my school at 6:30 am every day so that I can get these workouts done in the morning and then be at practice in the afternoon. 

What has been your experience with recruiting so far? 

Recruiting is exciting, and it is also very demanding.  Visiting numerous schools, participating in camps, meeting coaches in person and on the phone takes a great deal of time.  During this time, academics also remain a top priority, which means burning the midnight oil.  All that said, I am very grateful to have these opportunities.

 Can you share some highlights? HIGHLIGHT LINK: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17215366/67493ed51a1ef8504fa2563c

How many colleges or universities have expressed interest in you, and which ones have stood out?

Many of the Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, UPenn, Brown, Dartmouth, Columbia, Cornell) and a few FBS schools (Syracuse, Boston College, and UMass) have expressed interest in me. I have also been speaking with other FCS Schools; I am very grateful and excited to have received an offer from Stonehill, and I am having very good discussions with URI, Marist, Bryant, Stony Brook and Davidson. 

Of these, Yale, UPenn, Harvard, Columbia, Stonehill, URI, and Davidson have all really stood out to me. They have strong football programs and are schools where I could see myself having a great college experience

What factors are most important to you when considering a college program?

I’m looking for a school with a strong football culture, where everyone around me shares my passion for the game, and where we all support and encourage each other to be our best selves. I also want to have great opportunities outside of football after I am done playing, so a strong alumni program and network also stand out to me. 

Have you taken any official or unofficial visits to potential schools? If so, which ones and what was your impression?

I have taken unofficial visits to the University of Massachusetts, Harvard, Yale, the University of Pennsylvania, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Middlebury, and Williams. I really enjoyed visiting all these schools, and the coaches made me feel at home. 

How have your coaches and teammates influenced your recruitment process?

My Coaches and teammates have been super supportive throughout the recruitment process and given me great advice to help me navigate it all. a two-year captain and this experience has given you firsthand exposure to the challenges and rewards of leadership. I am a two-year captain, and this experience has given me firsthand exposure to the challenges and rewards of leadership.

Who are the main people involved in your recruiting decisions (coaches, family, mentors)? How do they assist you?

I would say that my parents and Coaches have let me make decisions for myself and find what I like in a school. But my parents have been so helpful by driving me to visit these schools and camps. They also provide encouragement and support, and are role models to me as well. My Coach, Demboswski, has also been a considerable part of my recruiting process, as he has spent a lot of time with me one-on-one to develop me into the player I am today. 

Have you received any scholarship offers so far? If yes, can you tell me about them?

Yes, Stonehill. 

What timeline are you looking at for making your college decision? Are you leaning toward any specific schools?

I am waiting to get through this camp season and see what opportunities arise by the end of the summer. I am not leaning towards any specific schools yet. 

What do you think separates you from other recruits in your position?

My understanding of the game sets me apart from other linebackers. I spend hours watching film, take a year-long online course, Linebacker Prototype, to develop my game IQ, and I am always learning more about the game.  I also truly, truly love football.  Whether it’s getting to the field at 6:30 am in the off-season to do reps or chasing down a running back trying to make a sideline run in-game,I always give 100% effort on and off the field. 

How do you balance academics and athletics? What is your GPA and course load like?

Balancing academics and athletics is not easy, but I am committed to doing so, and I also owe it to my parents to do so.  , Performing well in the classroom is critical to my future. I have earned a 3.9 GPA while taking all honors and Advanced Placement classes, except for advanced pre-calculus. 

What are your goals, both academically and athletically, for this year?

I want to continue to do well in the classroom and have a great summer as I prepare for my senior season. I want to continue to build relationships with coaches at camps and hopefully get some offers. 

What do you hope to achieve in college besides playing football?

I want to study business and network myself to set up the rest of my future.

Why do you believe you are well-suited to contribute to a college football program?

I love to compete and have a great work ethic. I always rise to the occasion and enjoy being challenged. Wherever I go, I  am going to strive to play at the top of my game, and just as my teammates will motivate me,  my dedication will motivate your teammates. I am also quite coachable and versatile, so I can play in any defense a coach wants me to. 

What motivates you to play football, and what drives you to succeed?

I love the game of football and want to play for as long as possible; knowing that the harder I work, the more opportunities I will have to play the game I love, motivates me to strive for greatness. 

If you had to give one piece of advice to younger players looking to get recruited, what would it be?

Follow your own path and don’t let other people’s stories affect yours. Just keep on grinding and trust god’s timing. At the same time, always keep your mind open to learning.  Football is not just about how physically strong you are or how fast your 40 is–there is tremendous depth to this game, and there is always more you can learn.