Signee in waiting
- Updated: February 2, 2016
Britt will get his chance next year, but for now the Oxford linebacker is just taking it all in
Oxford linebacker Kenney Britt Jr. displays the technique that has college recruiters swarming his way. On the cover, Britt looks over one of the many brochures he has received from college programs trying to woo his talent. (Game photo by Kristen Stringer/Krisp Pics Photography)
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
OXFORD — Wednesday morning high school football seniors all across the country will be hitting the fax machine to send their letters of intent back to the programs of their choice to begin the next step in their playing careers.
The tradition of the day has become for them to make their announcements in front of the student body. Many of the top recruits will make them on ESPN.
Kenney Britt Jr. will be paying attention to it all, but not to the degree it will consume his day.
Wednesday will mark the official starting point of a big year for the Oxford linebacker. Over the next year he will get to experience all the trappings those the signing seniors across the nation will have been exposed to leading up to National Signing Day.
“Yeah, I’m going to watch,” he said. “That’s like a dream. You’ve been playing football all your life and now it’s your big day on Signing Day. I’m going to watch where they go and what other people do, congrats to them, but I’m not like 100 percent tuned in to what they’re doing.”
Most of the so-called experts expect a modest class of signees out of Calhoun County this year, certainly nothing like the past several when the county was turning out SEC and other Division I signees on a regular basis. It’s expected the majority of county’s top prospects this year are headed to small colleges or JUCOs to work their way back after some seasoning.
For all the highly prized prospects that have come through Oxford’s doors the past five years, Britt confides he doesn’t have many people he can talk to about the recruiting experience. When Roc Thomas signed with Auburn, Britt was a freshman, dressing in a different locker room and not seeing him much in school; they talked during the Iron Bowl, but it wasn’t about recruiting.
When future NFL’ers Trae Elston and Kwon Alexander were being recruited and ultimate signing with Ole Miss and LSU, respectively, Britt was still in middle school. His closest role model would be Tre Gamble and he recalls the receiver “was as humble as they get.”
“I’m just going to have to eat my plate when I get there,” he said. “I really don’t know what to expect. When I get there I’m just going to have to adjust to it and be a part of the culture.”
When Britt’s time comes to sign on the dotted line don’t look for him to do the ball cap shuffle or turn the day into some theatrical production. That’s just not his way.
“I’m not a big guy who has to boast and show everything, so I don’t have to have all the hat presentations and stuff,” he said. “That is cool to have, but I’m not the biggest one for that. When I do have signing day I’m just gong to focus on staying humble and knowing who my creator is. I’m not going to do it to show off to this person and that person. I think that’s a little over the top.”
He already is academically qualified for the next level and currently holds offers from Cincinnati, South Alabama, Syracuse and Jacksonville State. Several SEC schools are showing interest – “Georgia has sent me so much, I have a shoebox that’s full of mail from them,” he said – and undoubtedly more will come in the year ahead.
He has no narrowed list yet, but one thing is certain: He’s going to pick a program that feels “if it’s home” where has a chance to play. Those who don’t want him as an inside linebacker need not apply.
Oh, and one other thing, don’t bug him about it. He is firmly focused on football.
“From spring training until the state championship game this year I’m not going to be really concerned about recruiting because I know that’s going to take care of itself by my play,” he said. “Right now I just want to lead my team to where we’re supposed to be.
“I’m not going to be one of those every time you turn around is on Twitter talking to coaches and stuff. I’m studying this year because it’s my last year. I’m expecting the best from myself. I’m expecting the best of the teams around me, the players around me, from my coaches. I’m not going to be full fledged into recruiting until the time comes after football season. I’m definitely going to be more focused on my team than I am myself this year.”
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