The #2 Sophomore Safety In California: Brandon Nash
Brandon Nash is a 4 Star recruit who plays Safety at St. John Bosco High School. Nash is ranked as the 55th best recruit in the class of 2028 and is ranked as a top 10 Safety in the class as well. In addition, Nash is listed as the #5 recruit in the state of California and is listed as the #2 Safety in the state of California. He holds offers from schools such as Ohio State, Missouri and Kansas.
Who are some role models in your life?
My dad is definitely the most important and influential role model I have. He has given me the perfect example of how to be loving, fun, and always there for your family, while at the same time earning our utmost respect and obedience. He also played Division 1 football at the University of Arizona and was one of the best defensive players to graduate from there. He has passed on everything he learned to me and is always encouraging me to be a student of the game, to know the job of every position, and to never stop working. He has also shown me what a strong relationship with God looks like on an everyday basis and how that can carry over into all areas of my life.
What artists do you listen to pregame to get hyped up?
My pregame playlist isn’t exactly full of hype songs; I use it more to center myself and calm my excitement. I listen to gospel music like Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, and CeCe Winans. I’m super hyped for games just because I get to be on the field and play, so I use music to calm down.
What are the strengths of your game?
My greatest strengths are my ability to come downhill and make solid tackles, my football IQ, and my versatility across the field. I loved hitting from the very first tackle in my first practice as a little kid, and I look forward to the first tackle every season. I enjoy being a captain and general, helping to set the rest of the defense each play. I pick up on tendencies and cues from offensive players, which helps me read and react quickly. As a freshman last year, I played safety and nickel, and as a safety, I sometimes lined up in the box as a linebacker. I also played some corner this year in 7-on-7 to work on my man coverage.
What is your favorite memory of your career?
My favorite memory is from my first season of tackle football. My team was on a three-game losing streak, playing the best team in the league. Nobody thought we could win. I ended up scoring my first touchdown at tight end and had the game-winning sack.
Who is the best player you have ever played with or played against in your career?
Madden Williams is by far the best player I’ve ever played with and against. Guarding him in practice is almost impossible. His route running and catch radius are insane.
What is some advice you would give to an aspiring D1 athlete?
The best advice I have is to be the smartest, most physical player on the field. Know every position and take full advantage of every opportunity you get. One play can make a difference in your entire career and gain the attention of any coach. Also, be open to every school and every opportunity, and be grateful — because you never know which one will be perfect for you.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I would love to travel to Greece or Sicily. The pictures just look incredible — sunny, calm, and peaceful.
How old were you when you fell in love with the game?
I think I always loved football. My dad would play with us in the front yard and pause games on TV to break it down like film when we were 4 and 5 years old. But when I fell in love with it was just before I turned 12, during COVID, when I hadn’t played football for a year. My grandpa was watching NASCAR and an ad came up for the first Monday Night Football game of the year. We weren’t even sure if there would be an NFL season, so seeing that made me realize how much I missed it — and I never wanted to step away from the game again.
If you could meet one sports hero, who would it be?
I would love to meet Brian Dawkins. He played for the Eagles from ’96 to ’08 and then for the Broncos from ’09 to 2011. In my opinion, he is the best safety of all time. His ability to cover the field from sideline to sideline is incredible. His aggressive tackling is insane and has been my inspiration. His mentality and love for the game drives me to try to imitate his playing style. There’s a reason they called him Weapon X.
What is your favorite sports moment, as a fan?
Aaron Donald making the game-winning sack against Joe Burrow in the 2021 Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium! Being a lifelong, die-hard Rams fan, it was like a dream come true.
