[irishfan_88]

Braxston Cave

6'5 290 OL

Mishawaka, Indiana (Penn High School)


Braxston Cave Interview on WSBT Radio's Weekday Sportsbeat. The March 27th interview was conducted by WSBT Radio's Darin Pritchett and the Irish football beat reporter for the South Bend Tribune Eric Hansen.



(South Bend Tribune) Since taking the field two years ago, Braxston Cave has been the center of attention for the Penn High varsity football team.

The 6-foot-4, 294-pound junior center hopes to get to do the same for the University of Notre Dame starting in the fall of 2008.

Attending Notre Dame's Junior Day, Cave fulfilled a boyhood dream Sunday morning by verbally committing to play for the Irish.

"Growing up in this area, it was always a dream of mine to wear that gold helmet one day," Cave said in a phone conversation Sunday afternoon. "When (Notre Dame football) Coach (Charlie) Weis told me to come in and see him (on Sunday morning), I didn't know what to think. When he offered me a scholarship, though, I didn't hesitate to say yes and tell him that ND was the place for me."

Pursued by Indiana, Purdue, Michigan, Iowa, and Florida, the two-year starter helped the Kingsmen to back-to-back Northern Indiana Conference titles. Cave was also first-team all-Northern Indiana Conference selection in 2006.

"I'm excited for Braxston because he's worked extremely hard to get himself to this point," said Penn coach Cory Yeoman when reached at home. "Notre Dame is getting themselves a pretty good football player and I know he's excited about an opportunity like this."

Upon his arrival at Notre Dame, Cave believes he will be able to make an immediate impact.

"They're (Notre Dame) going to have a fifth-year senior (John Sullivan) playing center this coming year," Cave said. "This means the competition for the spot is going to be wide open when I get there.

"They've (the coaches) already told me that they want me to play center, so I'm planning on working hard and doing my best to show them that I'm worthy of playing for them right away."

Although his large frame might not indicate it, Cave believes he's in perfect shape for the obstacles ahead of him.

"When I was younger, I had dreams of being a running back or quarterback one day. I guess this is why I've always tried to keep in the best shape possible," Cave added. "I'd like to think I'm pretty athletic and not just another big, slow guy playing football."

Having watched Cave over the years, Yeoman would agree to this statement.

"He's a strong young man with both power and quickness," Yeoman added. "With a nice combination like this to go along with great, quick feet, you can tell why he was in such high demand."

With his future set, Cave can now focus on the present.

"The nice thing is that I don't have to worry about this recruiting stuff anymore," Cave said. "I told Coach Yeoman today that I can now just focus on trying to have a great senior season and trying to get us back down to the (RCA) Dome (in Indianapolis) where we belong."