Archives > Sports Update > National Signing Day
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Flying High: Boyd standout Driskell commits to Air Force
By Richard C. White, rwhite@starlocalnews.com
For years McKinney Boyd running back Bryan Driskell has soared above the competition, so it's only fitting that his football talents will take flight at the college level with the Air Force Falcons.
Driskell made the announcement on Twitter Wednesday night, committing to play football next fall for the Air Force Academy.
"Anytime a kid goes through that whole decision-making process, it's not a simple one to make," said Don Drake, Boyd head coach. "I'm excited about the opportunity he has in front of him. I know he's excited about the Air Force Academy. There aren't a whole lot of kids who get that opportunity to play college football and Bryan is one that is going to get it and it's very much deserved."
Air Force was just one of several Division I schools to offer Driskell a football scholarship. He also received offers from New Mexico and Navy.
"He's done a phenomenal job," Drake said. "You can't ignore all the records he's accomplished throughout his high school career. The fact that several Division I schools recognized his ability and offered him the opportunity to play for them says a lot. I'm excited that it's all worked out for him."
Driskell's accomplishments are storied and many. At the forefront of his career stats are two major milestones that include rushing for more than 5,000 total yards and scoring over 400 total points.
Driskell is also a two-time finalist for the Landry Award, a premier award given to the best football player in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Other impressive accomplishments for the all-state back include two separate games in which he surpassed 330 yards rushing. Driskell also ran for a program-record seven touchdowns in a single game in addition to setting the school record for the longest run and touchdown run from scrimmage at 94 yards, both of which he set this season.
The Falcons play in the Mountain West Conference and have a longstanding tradition of running the triple option, which stresses the importance of a power ground game. Air Force regularly ranks in the top ten for rushing in the country.
"It's a great fit for his talents," Drake said. "They do a great job out there. I'm very excited about his skill-set and what he'll bring to the table for them. I feel like he'll put himself in a place to be able to go out there and compete pretty quickly for some playing time."
Given their military function, service academies like the Air Force stress character and academic skills more than most college football programs, something Drake said speaks volumes to the type of person Driskell is.
"Anyone that comes into contact with Bryan knows pretty quickly what kind of kid he is," he said. "Service academies do a lot of work making sure that the kids that they offer are the kind of character kids and academic kids that they want to represent our academies. Bryan no doubt is that type of individual."
Driskell's commitment is merely an oral one at this point as commitments do not become official until players are able to sign an official National Letter of Intent on National Signing Day on Feb. 6. Although he is free to change his mind at any point before he signs a letter of intent, Drake doesn't anticipate any change in decision occurring, given how mature and well-thought out Driskell was in making his decision.
"He let me know Wednesday night." Drake said. "He hadn't made his mind up until that evening. I knew that the Air Force was a school he was highly interested in and seriously considering, so I wasn't surprised when he told me he was committing to them."
While Driskell's time at Boyd may be over, Drake is excited to see how the next chapter of his playing career unfolds, one that will now shift from Friday nights to Saturday.
"I look forward to watching him compete in the fall," Drake said. "It should be fun."
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: National Signing Day «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
