SANTA ROSA BEACH — Life is good these days for Brennan Downing.
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound South Walton offensive lineman is coming off an all-state campaign for the resurgent Seahawks and he and his teammates are celebrating a new D-I commitment daily, including Downing’s decision to attend the United States Naval Academy.
It’s a decision that that goes well beyond the gridiron.
The son of a Naval pilot, Downing is following in his father’s footsteps while making a lifelong dream come true with playing football on Saturdays at of the finest institutions in the land.
“To be a pilot, that wasn’t always the goal. But playing football was,” Downing said. “The opportunity unfolded and there’s no better opportunity to go that route. It’s probably the best situation I’ve ever been in my life. Honestly, there’s no other way I’d want it.”
Downing was considering the University of West Florida, but after a meeting with the Midshipmen football staff and seeing firsthand their excitement and investment in him, Downing felt home.
“My dad was like, ‘This is your decision and we’ll support you,’ ” Downing said. “But obviously he wanted me to go there. It just worked out to be the best decision for everyone.”
And also the best decision for his Seahawks, who already have JD Brown committed to UConn and Connor Rooney to Rice as part of a senior class that’s focused on one goal for their first season in 3A.
“This year we want to be 10-0,” Downing said. “We want to be at the best position possible for the playoffs and win a region championship and go past that.”
Downing, who made every local and statewide all-area team last year, said individually his goal is to amass over 100 pancakes and have an average grade above 80 percent. This offense, he said, is special with Brown returning under center and an already solid foundation being enhanced by incoming junior Treiy Crenshaw (recently offered by FSU).
“I think we got a really good offense this year. I’m not gonna lie … I think we’re going to score a lot,” Downing said. “Treiy, I don’t know if Connor told you about him, but he transferred in from Douglas and he’s just a baller at receiver. So we have the talent. My job, I take pride on making sure everyone knows what to do, making sure everyone’s on the same page to run a good play. “
After his sawn song, Downing will head to Naval Academy Preparatory School in Rhode Island for his first year before joining the Midshipmen in Annapolis, Maryland. Once there, he said “I’d love to start by at least my sophomore year.”
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Brennan Downing commits to Navy, poised to lead South Walton football
Reporting by Seth Stringer, Northwest Florida Daily News / Northwest Florida Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Seth Stringer, Northwest Florida Daily News | USA TODAY Network
