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FALCONS' SECRET WEAPON
Brown conquers adversity, striving for best
By Nate Ulrich
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Thursday, Aug 26, 2010
It's hard to overlook Tommy Brown when he walks through the halls of Firestone High School or the streets of his West Akron neighborhood.
After all, he's 6-foot-5, and his weight typically fluctuates between 295 and 320 pounds.
Brown doesn't say anything, but he hears the whispers. He even uses some of them as motivation, taking mental notes every time a critic suggests he's only headed to Ohio State University on a football scholarship because of his mammoth size.
''It's funny because they've never seen me play,'' said Brown, a 17-year-old senior offensive and defensive lineman at Firestone. ''They're just like, 'He's only going [to OSU] 'cause he's 6-5, 300 pounds. That's it.' I just look at them and laugh. I just want to shove [game] tape in their mouth, [and say], 'Look at this.' But I just let it go.''
I just want to shove [game] tape in their mouth, [and say], 'Look at this.' But I just let it go.'
Cody Grice led Firestone with 124 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Ohio State-bound Tommy Brown recorded a safety for the Falcons.
Ohio State verbal committment Tommy Brown is TWIF's No. 4-ranked OT in Ohio's class of 2011!
TOMMY BROWN
Firestone Falcons
Akron, Ohio
Offensive Tackle
6-5, 335
Senior
College of Choice: Verbally committed to Ohio State.
Who Lost Out?: Akron, Ball State, Duke, Michigan State, Ohio, Toledo and West Virginia.
Continued...
(2010-11-18 Myrtle Beach, SC) Tommy is a big man that will anchor the Buckeye Offensive Line someday. He has a great future in the Big 10. He is our 6th Ohio State commit to be playing in our game. Our coaches will really enjoy coaching him and watching him develop even further.
Firestone seniors Tommy Brown and Cody Grice, and Green senior Dylan Brumbaugh are three Division I college recruits that have commited to play in the game. Brown is headed to Ohio State, and Grice and Brumbaugh are going to Akron.
''We are getting some marquee players like Tommy and Cody, but our goal is to get kids that are Division II and Division III type players more looks,'' Thompson said. ''Our major goal is to get everyone additional exposure. . . . For someone like Tommy, he might play in another all-star game, and then there are kids that this could be their last time playing in a football game.''
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