Godby (Fla.) linebacker Bryce Cowan showed up to Vanderbilt's Elite Camp on June 12th and showed out, eventually picking up an offer from the Commodores.
The three-star prospect didn't hesitate and jumped on the offer, committing to Vanderbilt on July 4th over the likes of Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Georgia State, South Alabama, and others.
VandySports.com caught up with Godby head coach Brandon McCray, who went in-depth on Cowan.
- What is Vanderbilt getting in Bryce as a player and person?
BRANDON MCCRAY: "Bryce is one of those kids where all the teachers are rooting for him. He's a great student in class. He's a kid that knows how to turn the competitiveness on and off. He's a dawg on the field and when he's off the field he's all about his school work. He actually has a part-time job at McDonald's, so to be a kid having a job and practice and still doing well in the classroom - a lot of people admire him. He's going to be very successful because he handles his time very well."
- How do you guys utilize Bryce in your defense and how do you see him transitioning to the college level?
MCCRAY: "Our defensive coordinator really builds our defense around players like Bryce. We call it a position-less defense. He could be a rush end some downs. He could also be a linebacker or a deep safety. To have a kid like Bryce to bring that type of versatility I think that's what college football is getting towards. Having linebackers that can do it in all three-phases of the game and stay on the field all the time because they are athletic and physical."
- How much much have you seen him physically develop throughout high school?
MCCRAY: "Bryce came into high school probably about 5-foot-8, 5-foot-9. He's up to about 6-foot-4 now and it all happened in a span of about a year and a half. He had a huge growth spurt and for a moment his movements were awkward. He was one of those teenagers that grew real fast and he worked really hard with our strength coach on developing his body and muscles and learning how to play as a taller kid. I think that's the thing that sticks out on film with him is being 6-foot-4, he moves like one of those nickel backs that are 5-foot-11 or 6-foot. He has great hips for a kid his size."
"This past season he really added in the physicality. Coming up in the run and driving through his tackles. He had a tremendous spring for us and a lot of people didn't get a chance to see him."
- What does he like about Vanderbilt overall?
MCCRAY: "He had some offers and some schools looking at him. Then Barton Simmons was the first one to reach out, then Coach (John) Egorugwu, the linebackers coach, that relationship picked up. We did a virtual visit with them at one point. After listening to all the plans they have at Vanderbilt and how they want to utilize Bryce, we were really impressed with the staff there."
- What about his leadership qualities - more vocal, lead by example, or both?
MCCRAY: "Bryce is a little more vocal. Everybody follows him and he's got a bunch of friends. He's the kind of guy when he says something, everybody listens. He does everything right and he's always looking to get better. All the kids look to him as a leader because of the success he's had and he's worked for it."
The three-star prospect didn't hesitate and jumped on the offer, committing to Vanderbilt on July 4th over the likes of Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Georgia State, South Alabama, and others.
VandySports.com caught up with Godby head coach Brandon McCray, who went in-depth on Cowan.
- What is Vanderbilt getting in Bryce as a player and person?
BRANDON MCCRAY: "Bryce is one of those kids where all the teachers are rooting for him. He's a great student in class. He's a kid that knows how to turn the competitiveness on and off. He's a dawg on the field and when he's off the field he's all about his school work. He actually has a part-time job at McDonald's, so to be a kid having a job and practice and still doing well in the classroom - a lot of people admire him. He's going to be very successful because he handles his time very well."
- How do you guys utilize Bryce in your defense and how do you see him transitioning to the college level?
MCCRAY: "Our defensive coordinator really builds our defense around players like Bryce. We call it a position-less defense. He could be a rush end some downs. He could also be a linebacker or a deep safety. To have a kid like Bryce to bring that type of versatility I think that's what college football is getting towards. Having linebackers that can do it in all three-phases of the game and stay on the field all the time because they are athletic and physical."
- How much much have you seen him physically develop throughout high school?
MCCRAY: "Bryce came into high school probably about 5-foot-8, 5-foot-9. He's up to about 6-foot-4 now and it all happened in a span of about a year and a half. He had a huge growth spurt and for a moment his movements were awkward. He was one of those teenagers that grew real fast and he worked really hard with our strength coach on developing his body and muscles and learning how to play as a taller kid. I think that's the thing that sticks out on film with him is being 6-foot-4, he moves like one of those nickel backs that are 5-foot-11 or 6-foot. He has great hips for a kid his size."
"This past season he really added in the physicality. Coming up in the run and driving through his tackles. He had a tremendous spring for us and a lot of people didn't get a chance to see him."
- What does he like about Vanderbilt overall?
MCCRAY: "He had some offers and some schools looking at him. Then Barton Simmons was the first one to reach out, then Coach (John) Egorugwu, the linebackers coach, that relationship picked up. We did a virtual visit with them at one point. After listening to all the plans they have at Vanderbilt and how they want to utilize Bryce, we were really impressed with the staff there."
- What about his leadership qualities - more vocal, lead by example, or both?
MCCRAY: "Bryce is a little more vocal. Everybody follows him and he's got a bunch of friends. He's the kind of guy when he says something, everybody listens. He does everything right and he's always looking to get better. All the kids look to him as a leader because of the success he's had and he's worked for it."
