Big Dream: A Little Luck
June 12, 2003 01:01 PM | General
Reprinted from 1993 Mountaineer Illustrated
Rich Braham has certainly come a long way during the past five years. As an unrecruited, under-recognized offensive tackle, Braham walked onto Mountaineer Field in the fall of 1989 as a wide-eyed, gangly, walk-on hopeful. His goal was to earn a spot on the West Virginia football squad.
 Offensive tackle Rich Braham (WVU Sports Communications photo) |
Mountaineer coach Don Nehlen could not have known this little-noticed University High graduate would become one of the best offensive tackles in the nation by the end of his senior season.
Braham knew from the beginning what obstacles stood in his way. As a prep senior, he was an outstanding tight end who received little recognition in the college recruiting arena. This did not discourage Braham. It only strengthened his resolve to play major college football. He was faced with working to realize the potential he knew he possessed inside.
The day Rich Braham walked onto Mountaineer Field wearing gold and blue, he knew he was going to call it home. "During the first two or three months it was quite an adjustment, but I was determined to get playing time and earn a scholarship."
Braham realized he was progressing as an offensive lineman and earning his place as a Mountaineer after a year of playing against former standouts Mike Fox and Renaldo Turnbull.
"I had to face those guys every day in practice. Every day they'd beat the heck out of me. But every day I learned; every day I got better. By the end of my first year, Fox told me, `Rich, you're going to be a good player."
This was a turning point for Rich Braham.
University High coach John Kelley has been the biggest influence on the development of his football career. "He made me believe in myself and my ability. He is one of the main reasons I chose to play football at WVU."
Braham's parents also played a vital role in his decision to wear the gold and blue.
"I think my parents played a big part in my decision to walk on at WVU. We all sat down - me, Coach Kelley and my parents. It came down to Virginia Tech and WVU," says Braham. "Virginia Tech had offered me a scholarship that would have gone into effect after one semester. But I knew all my family and friends could see me play here. If I had it all to do over again, I wouldn't change anything. I love WVU; this is where I belong."
Braham was redshirted his freshman year, and then started the final three games of his first season. He came back the next year as WVU's starting offensive tackle. He has never relinquished that starting role and he also received that scholarship he desired.
Four years later, everyone in Morgantown knows Rich Braham can play football better than most. Braham is a co-captain for the 1993-94 squad and is being touted as an All-America and all-BIG EAST candidate.
On the field, Braham is still showing steady improvement. Syracuse coach Paul Pasqualoni singled Braham out during the week of the WVU-Orange clash. "That Rich Braham just jumps off the screen when we are watching the film. He goes down the field and knocks one guy down and then, without missing a step goes on to get another super block. It's no wonder West Virginia can move the ball on anybody they play with guys like this up front."
Coach Nehlen, who is in his 14th season at West Virginia, says, "Rich Braham is as good an offensive lineman as we've had since I've been here, and that includes the Comptons and the Jozwiaks.
"Never in my years here have I seen anybody play a game like he did against Maryland (a 42-37 WVU victory). He graded out at 88 percent efficiency. He just played a whale of a game."
Center Dan Harless, Braham's roommate, has always had tremendous confidence in Braham's ability.
"He and I came in together. We were both walk-ons. During my time here, I haven't seen an offensive lineman pick up technique so quickly and be so explosive,~ Harless says. "I think he'll probably be the top lineman in our conference."
Not only is Braham a top lineman, he is tops in the classroom as well. He has already accomplished something that many athletes take years to do, completing a college degree in four years. Braham has a bachelor's degree in finance and is currently pursuing his master's degree in safety studies. He has consistently been listed among the members of the Athletic Director's Academic Honor Roll for maintaining a 3.0 grade-point average.
Like many college football players, Braham's goal is to earn a chance to take the field in an NFL contest. "I'm like any other football player; I would like get my shot at the NFL. But, if it doesn't work out, I'll come back home and finish my master's degree."
As Braham talks about his success and his future plans, the confidence in his voice is noticeable, but not a confidence that is marred by being self-centered or cocky.
"I know what I want and I try every day to work toward that goal," says Braham, who is a goal-oriented person who has his feet squarely planted on the ground.
"When I was a freshman I looked up to the seniors," says Braham, who considers himself the role model now. "Now I'm the senior and I want to help the young guys. Some of the seniors I looked up to helped me improve my performance; I hope I can do the same for the guys today."
His prep coach sums Braham up best, "A great football player and a great athlete. There is no doubt about that. But if you strip away all his athletic accomplishments, he'll still succeed in life. I'm not as proud of his football prowess as I am of what a great young man he is."
So when you watch WVU's left tackle today against Rutgers, observe the intensity of the play and the determination to win. He has applied his skill to become a big success, but also remember those same traits have made him an even bigger success off the field. This is Morgantown's version of "Hoosiers,~ a young man all the way to the big time with all the odds against him.
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