by Lee Brecheen
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| Joseph Brunson, Ruston High School (photo property of Louisiana Football Magazine) |
May 18, 2011 - I watched over 300 games in the 2010 season of Louisiana High School football and the best feet I saw for an offensive guard for the next level was Joseph Brunson from Ruston High School in North Louisiana. The other day I talked about Dominick Bilich from Archbishop Rummel who had the best feet for a Center for College in the 2012 class. I was able to see Joseph in four games his sophomore year and five games this past year.
What impressed me the most is Joseph goes up against some big time players every week in high school. Most of the teams on their schedule have defensive lineman who are over 250 and 270 and can run starting even in the jamboree. Every game I watched of Brunson he showed great feet, great hands, strength, power in his legs and great technique like college lineman in pass protection and run blocks. I also think he’s a natural when they pull him for run plays, and he gets down field very easily for a big guy. There were many plays even in games Ruston lost, that he pulled and blocked more than 3 players downfield on the same play. These are Defensive Ends weighing 220 to 230 or Defensive Tackles in the 240 to 290 range.
Joseph plays Offensive Tackle for Ruston High School, and I predict he will make the move to Offensive Guard in college for a top DI program. The last lineman I scouted from Ruston that could play for anybody in the United States was Kyle Williams, who only went 6-1 and weighed 260 in high school, but had great feet, and played the Defensive End position for Ruston. Kyle made All SEC at LSU at 6-1, 290 pounds at Defensive Tackle, and is one of the top five current Defensive Tackles in the NFL today, and the top Defensive Tackle for the Buffalo Bills. To me Joseph is the Offensive Lineman version of Kyle Williams. He has the same moxy, and will be a big time player in college. He is the best lineman to come out of Ruston High School since Kyle Williams, and will join a long list of great players from this big time program that’s known for producing players in the past. Bert Jones from LSU, Fred Dean from La Tech, Jack Hunt from LSU, Rodney Young from LSU, QB Patrick Ramsey from Tulane, and recently drafted Defensive Tackle Lavarius Livingston from LSU are just a few out of many that have come out of this great school.
Joseph is a legit 6-4 in height and weighs 296 pounds, and carries it well for a big guy. I’m excited to see this kid play his senior season and it will be interesting to see how many big time schools offer this talented big guy in the end. Brunson like Bilich of Archbishop Rummel could move to center and be a special player as well. I just think Offensive Guard is where the big schools will want to play him in the end. I also like how he plays the game with a tough guy mentality when you see him block players on defense. You don’t see a lot of big guys on Offensive line in college move like this kid, and come after you like he does almost every play.
I hope you enjoy the interview below with Taylor Williams.
Interview by Taylor Williams
LAFM: What do you like most about the game as an offensive lineman?
JB: Just lighting people up. I love getting out to lead the way for the running backs.
LAFM: And what’s your primary position on the line?
JB: I’m a right tackle, but I rotate different positions on the line.
LAFM: I’m sure your coach values that, but what do you think is your biggest strength as a player?
JB: I’d probably have to say my quickness off the ball; just my explosiveness getting out in the open field and throwing blocks.
LAFM: And what are you trying most to improve?
JB: Footwork, for sure.
LAFM: How long have you been playing?
JB: I started in Pee Wee League when I was in sixth grade.
LAFM: Are you originally from Louisiana, and if so, is it important to you to stay close to home for college?
JB: I am from Louisiana, born and raised, and yeah, I’d like for my family to be within driving distance but I know they’d follow me wherever I was.
LAFM: Has football always been a big presence in your family, and has anyone played at the college level?
JB: Nobody at the college level, but its always been a big deal. Both of my brothers play and my dad used to play.
LAFM: Who did you guys grow up rooting for as kids?
JB: Mainly LSU and LA Tech. And the Saints of course.
LAFM: Can you talk a little about your team’s goals for next season?
JB: Really we just want to have a strong season, definitely make the playoffs and get further than we did last year. We lost in the first round my sophomore and junior years, so I want to try and get us past that and into the Dome.
LAFM: Do you feel like your team is in good shape to do that?
JB: I definitely feel like we are. We’ve been working hard and we got some good athletes.
LAFM: What’s it been like playing for your head coach, and how has he helped you improve as a player?
JB: It’s great, you know, growing up watching my brothers play I was always real excited to get to high school and play for Coach Laird. He’s a great guy; he’s just been around the game so long and knows so much about it.
LAFM: What are some games that stand out as memorable personal or team performances?
JB: Probably when we went down and played Sulphur my sophomore year. It was the third or fourth game of the season and they were number eight in 5A. Nobody thought we could beat them but we went down there and took care of business and got a win.
LAFM: Are they one of your biggest rivals?
JB: Not usually, but that was a big game. Neville is the big one.
LAFM: What’s it like around school and in the locker room before that game?
JB: The whole week is “Beat Neville” week, and we do different stuff around school to get pumped for it. It’s on your mind the minute you wake up that Monday.
LAFM: Let’s shift gears to college. What are some schools you’ve gotten looks from at this point?
JB: LSU, Louisiana Tech, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Southern Miss, Nebraska, ULM, Tulane, and Lafayette I believe.
LAFM: That’s quite a list. Have you been to any of their camps yet?
JB: Last summer I went to a few: A&M, LSU, Louisiana Tech, and I plan on going to a few more this summer.
LAFM: And what are your top choices amongst those schools?
JB: LSU, maybe Arkansas and Texas A&M. I like it there [A&M]; I went down to two games last year.
LAFM: You mentioned playing various positions on the line, and having a lot of quickness. Have you ever switched to the defensive side of the ball?
JB: I did play defensive line in junior high, but for the college most people have talked about recruiting me for either guard or center.
LAFM: Have you thought about a possible major in college?
JB: Not really, I haven’t thought about it.
LAFM: No rush on that. Last things, what are your current height, weight, and forty time?
JB: 6-4, 296, and 5.39.
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