Interview with Brandon Royster
SN caught up with Brandon Royster on Sunday after the Virginia vs. Virginia Tech football game - a game Royster saw in person. Royster is the star tailback for Fairfax High School in Fairfax, Virginia, and is rated as the #1 prospect in the state of Virginia by Doug Doughty in the Roanoke Times. In addition, he is a Dream Team selection by PrepStar magazine, and is considered by many to be in the top 10 running backs in the entire country. This year, the 6', 175 lb. senior with reported 4.4/40 speed has led Fairfax to a 5-0 record and a #6 ranking in the metro area rankings by the Washington Post. Fairfax now has a regular season unbeaten streak of 9 games dating back to last year, and is led by this stellar running back with a level head.
SN: Did you make it to the Virginia vs. Virginia Tech game on Saturday?
BR: Yes I did, I enjoyed it a lot.
SN: So you enjoyed your visit. Did you visit UVa during you junior year?
BR: Yes, I went down my junior year for some games as well as some other recruiting days.
SN: Have you visited other schools unofficially for games?
BR: Yeah I have. I've been to Chapel Hill, Penn State, and I've been to Maryland.
SN: Have you narrowed your list of schools down, and if so, who's on it?
BR: Right now, I really have a top three or four, but I haven't narrowed it down beyond that.
SN: Who's in the top four?
BR: UVA, UNC, Notre Dame, and Virginia Tech.
SN: What do you think the major factor in your decision making process will be - proximity to home, academics, the team?
BR: I think it will be a combination of everything, but most important will be being relatively close to home, but I want to check out Notre Dame, too, so we'll see.
SN: If I was UCLA, and came to recruit you, would you listen? In other words, are you still very open?
BR: Yeah, I'm really trying to narrow it down, but if you were UCLA, I would have to listen [laughs].
SN: Let's talk about the football programs. The schools in your top four are all strong programs, so are you comparing their style of play and who's on their rosters?
BR: The football part's a part of it. I just want to go to a place where I feel comfortable as a student as well as an athlete. It's going to be mainly based on academics, but I want to see what type of style they play, but it's not going to be the only thing I consider.
SN: What would be the type of team you play for - what style of play would they have?
BR: A running team, but more importantly, a team that will compete for championships, that's what I want to play for.
SN: Are you concerned at all with what formations - I formation, wishbone, that the schools interested in you run?
BR: No, not at all.
SN: Are you enjoying the recruiting process so far?
BR: Oh yes, I'm definitely enjoying it. It hasn't gotten to the point that it's a hassle. So far, it's not overwhelming.
SN: Coach [Art] Markos is recruiting you from Virginia; do you have a good relationship with him?
BR: Definitely, I like him a lot.
SN: Are you looking to strictly play offense, or is defense a consideration?
BR: Right now, they're telling me that I'm definitely an offensive player, but, you know, if I get there and they need me to play defense, then I guess that's what I'm going to do.
SN: Have you spoken with running back coach Bob Price?
BR: Yes, I have.
SN: In the midst of your senior year, you and your team are having a great season, are you enjoying the process, or has it begun to distract you from your senior year?
BR: I'm trying to enjoy it as much as I can, but it's distracting at times, it takes away from schoolwork, and trying to visit schools on the weekends and stuff. I'm trying to enjoy it and I think that it hasn't gotten to the point at all where it's too much of a distraction.
SN: Do you think that because you're enjoying it, that makes things easier and you'll be able to make a decision on your own time frame?
BR: Yes.
SN: Do you talk to Mike Daniels [Royster's teammate is also a Division 1A prospect, and is a 6'-1", 175 lb. Defensive Back] about attending the same college?
BR: Yes we talk. He and I are very close, and we definitely think about going to the same place. Being able to play together in college, we're not really sure yet, but we're thinking about it.
SN: Is he in approximately the same place you are in the process, and considering the same schools?
BR: They are pretty much the same, though I know he's considering West Virginia.
SN: So what are your goals for this year, your last in high school?
BR: On the field, I want to take it as far as we can go - ultimate goal is the state championship. Some people say that's not a reasonable goal, but you have to set the highest standards for yourself. Off the field, I want to try and enjoy my senior year; make the best of the time I have.
SN: Although athletics takes up a great deal of time, do you have any other interests?
BR: Not terribly. Sports and schoolwork take up so much of my time.
SN: Will you participate in other sports this year?
BR: Yes, winter and spring track.
SN: What are your expectations for next year in college?
BR: I don't even know, to be honest. I want to find out a lot about myself when I get there. Get on the field with the big boys, see where I stand, and find out what I have to do to be a player. I want to be able to work myself in to being a player at that level.
SN: It sounds as though you're not opposed to redshirting, depending on where you stack up when you get to college.
BR: It wouldn't bother me at all.
SN: If I'd never seen you play or never met you, how would you describe yourself to me?
BR: I think that, as a running back, I would say I'm a good combination of speed, power, strength, and everything. I try to be a total package. A lead runner, one that doesn't dance around, just gets it done. As a person, I'm pretty quiet, I don't say much, I try to be humble, and I'm pretty laid back.
SN: Have you started to schedule official visits with any schools?
BR: No, I haven't set any dates yet. I've talked about it with all of them, but I haven't set anything yet.
SN: The recruiting process began a long time ago for you, how close would you say you were to making a decision percentage wise, how far along are you?
BR: I think I'm about 75% there; I've narrowed it down pretty well, so I can find out a little more about those places. Once I do that, I think I'll be ready.
SN: So, are your parents very actively involved in the decision?
BR: Yeah, definitely. They support me in everything I do, and I've been talking to them about it a lot.
SN: Did they visit Virginia for the Virginia Tech game with you?
BR: No, they couldn't come Saturday, but Mike [Daniels] went with me.
SN: What stood out about your visit this past weekend?
BR: Just the atmosphere of the whole college scene. It's just something I really enjoyed.
SN: Was this the first Virginia game you'd been to this year?
BR: Yes.
SN: I understand you have good grades?
BR: Yes, I do, I have 4.02 GPA.
SN: Have you taken the SAT or ACT?
BR: Yes, I took the SAT and got a 1290.
SN: Congratulations, that's quite an achievement.
BR: Thank you very much.
SN: Are you watching football today [Sunday]?
BR: Yeah, football and homework every Sunday [laughs].
SN: Did I leave anything out that you'd like to address?
BR: Well, not really, I don't think so.
Chris MacAulay, The Sabre, October 5th, 1999
