The emergence of QB AJ Brand (6-1 200) as a high-level prospect is a big reason Irmo High School has become a power in the state again. Brand last season led the Yellow Jackets, who are coached by his father, to the 4A State Semi-Finals and a 13-1 record, their most wins since 2002. He passed for 2932 yards and 45 touchdowns, and he rushed for 1113 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Brand is drawing a lot of recruiting attention from schools who want him as a quarterback. But he is an excellent athlete, and some schools, like South Carolina, see a future for him at safety or wide receiver.
The Gamecocks offered Brand as an athlete in January. They’ve had great sucess with former Spring Valley quarterback DQ Smith who is now one of their starting safeties. Former Myrtle Beach quarterback Luke Doty is now a receiver. And former Fort Dorchester quarterback Dakereon Joyner played receiver and running back.
The idea of playing a position other than quarterback for the Gamecocks, or some other major program, is not a turnoff to Brand.
“At that type of level, you just want to get in where you can fit in,” Brand said. “Wherever I can play in the SEC, or wherever I can play anywhere, is where I’ll be signing to play, just to make it to the NFL. That’s the main goal.”
Still, Brand had to do a double take when he heard from the Gamecocks that they want him as a multi-position guy.
“It kind of came as a shock because I haven’t gotten an offer as an athlete before,” Brand said. “I was kind of intrigued by it, something new to me. I didn’t really have a problem with it. I just had to adjust to it.”
Exactly what the Gamecocks have in mind for Brand, he’s not sure. His primary point of contact had been former receivers coach James Coley.
“They haven’t really told me a specific position because he said he loved my film and he wanted to take another look at it,” Brand said. Coach Coley was texting me to introduce himself since he was one of the newer guys on campus. He said he loved me at quarterback also.”
Regardless of the position Shane Beamer and his top assistants have in mind for Brand, he’s willing to listen to them. The idea of playing for the hometown team is appealing because he sees a program on the rise.
“I definitely think Coach Beamer is turning everything around,” Brand said. “He’s definitely been a great part of my recruiting process. He checks on me just like all the other guys do. I just love the way that he coaches. He’s very family oriented and he knows how to get the job done. We talk a good bit. I love the conversations with Coach Beamer.”
Brand atteded a junior day at USC in January. He also visited Virginia Tech, Coastal Carolina and Charlotte. As for future visits, Brand plans to take spring visits to USC, USF, Maryland and Old Dominion.
He has not yet set official visit dates for June, but he said USC is a defiinite for one of those stops. Brand added that Virginia Tech and Georgia Southern are two other schools showing him a lot of interest at this point.