While most college seniors sign their letter-of-intent in February and arrive on campus the summer after their senior seasons, Georgia athlete Brandon Barden plans to get an early start on his college career. “I’m fully committed,” Barden said. “I’m graduating and going to enroll at Virginia Tech in January.”
Barden, who primarily plays quarterback at the high school level, will convert to wide receiver or tight end when he arrives on campus. “It’s probably going to be tight end or wide receiver,” he noted. “My coach has been talking to the coaches at Tech about all that. I think I’m going to go in there and play wherever they need me.”
For now, Barden will continue to concentrate on his senior season and prep for his time in Blacksburg. “We lift weights two days a week and I’m just trying to enjoy my high school year,” he noted. “I’m trying to enjoy that but also get ready to go to Tech.”
This past weekend, he got a taste of life as a Hokie on his official to Virginia Tech. “It went good,” he said. “I went down Friday. I didn’t go to the school. I got up there and stayed Friday and it was a good trip.”
“Friday I went down there and met with Coach Beamer and ate with the team,” he continued. “Saturday morning I woke up and went to eat with my recruiting coach, Coach Gray, and we went to the game. Saturday night and also Friday night I went out with Clark Crum and met some of his friend and hung out.”
Barden had heard about Lane Stadium and the atmosphere and, although it was not a rivalry game or one of Lane Stadium’s famed night games, Barden was certainly impressed. “It was my first Tech game,” he noted. “I’ve heard about how enthused they are and they lived up to their expectations.”
Barden, who has led his team to a 2-1 early season record, has played both quarterback and receiver this season.