Uncommitted Senior Spotlight: Brennan Laird from Olmsted Falls
October 18, 2011
For some, this becomes an easy decision, and a single sport is selected.
But, for others, such as Olmsted Falls' Brennan Laird (55th ranked prospect), the path is a little more difficult.
Laird (6-4, 190), who is currently the starting quarterback for Olmsted Falls' varsity football team, also stars on the baseball team as a talented outfielder (7.06 60-yard dash) and a powerful middle of the order right-handed bat. He remains one of the Ohio’s top uncommitted outfield prospects.
As a rising senior, Laird’s summer was anything but typical. He recalls, “From June through August (when two-a-days started), I only had 8 days where I did not have a baseball or football planned.”
July was a stressful month. Being an uncommitted prospect, Laird had scouts bearing down on him through every at bat or play in the outfield.
All the while, he notes, “The last week in July I would go to our Bulldog football camp at 7 in the morning, work the younger kid’s camp in the afternoon, and then head off in the evening to the CABA High School World Series to play a game or two.”
Although he is currently an uncommitted prospect, Laird has no regrets. Looking back on his high school athletic career, he says, “Playing multiple sports has taught me to be disciplined, focused, and balanced. I have learned to pay attention to nutrition and sleep to assure optimal health and strength.”
With the fall signing period approaching, Laird is relying on his high school coach (Dan Largent) and summer coach (Neall French of the T3 Pelicans) to help navigate the recruiting process.
Undistracted, he says, “This allows me to maintain my focus on winning the SWC this fall. Once my high school football season wraps up, I will begin to schedule my official visits.”
Lately, he has been hearing from a mixture of small and big schools including Ohio State, Cincinnati, Wright State, and Louisville.
Ultimately, he says, “ I am looking for a good fit … one that allows me to work my way into the starting lineup as quickly as possible as well as a program that meets my desire to specialize in adaptive physical education. I think I will know it when I find it.”
While Laird’s future college destination isn’t clear, his character and competitive mindset is apparent.
When asked for his spring stats, he responded firmly, “I honestly can’t give you my spring stats- I am sure Coach Largent can do that. I try not to fall into the trap of focusing on my own accomplishments. If I hit .750 with 30 homeruns and we don’t win the conference, it’s not a good season. Period.”
Wherever he lands, Laird is surely going to be an asset to his team and college community.