I couldn't agree more. If he came to ND I see guys like Mo Crum and Pat Kuntz jacking him up against the wall in the first hour of practice. I live in Philly and found this nauseating article from the local Allentown newspaper, who refers to him as "Hurricane Beal" hahaha.
Hurricane Beal heading to Florida
Liberty linebacker makes announcement on national TV.
Liberty High School senior linebacker Brendon Beale, shown in action in an August scrimmage against Berwick, has announced he will attend the University of Florida. (Demetra Stamus/Special to The Morning Call / October 26, 2007)
By Andre D. Williams | Of The Morning Call
October 26, 2007
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Digg Del.icio.us Facebook Fark Google Newsvine Reddit Yahoo Print Single page view Reprints Reader feedback Text size: Liberty senior linebacker Brendan Beal figured he was in a no-lose situation.
He had scholarship offers from defending national champion Florida, perennial powerhouses USC, LSU and Boston College, which is currently ranked No. 2 in the Bowl Championship Series and No. 2 by the Associated Press.
''This is one of the hardest decisions of my life, outside of marriage, but here it is right here, I'm going to be a Florida Gator, playing under Urban Meyer,'' said Beal, whose decison was announced on tape delay on the College Sports Television Network Thursday night.
He had 49 other scholarship offers with Ohio State and some others offering Beal full rides as early as his sophomore year at Roxbury High (N.J.), Beal said.
''I wanted to play in the SEC and that's what it came down to,'' said Beal, who narrowed his choices down to Florida and LSU earlier this week.
He was easily sold on Florida during his official recruiting visit to Gainesville on Sept. 29, starting with Meyer.
''When I went down there I was like, 'Man, this is what I want, the school, family atmosphere,' and coach Meyer and I clicked right away,'' Beal said when reached by phone following his TV announcement. ''We talk every Thursday.
''It was just everything about Florida. My heart was there. Once I saw that Auburn game, it was just insane. I loved it.''
The 6-4, 235-pound Beal, who posted 272 tackles and 17 sacks in his sophomore and junior seasons at Roxbury, leads Liberty in tackles with 81 this season. He also has two blocked kicks.
His biggest game in a Liberty uniform comes tonight when the Hurricanes (7-1, 6-1 Lehigh Valley Conference) visit Easton (6-2, 5-2) in an LVC matchup with playoff implications for both teams.
It will be Beal's first matchup against Easton's standout defensive back Jarred Holley, who also has Florida on his final list of schools under consideration.
LSU linebacker coach Bradley Dale Peveto will be in attendance at Cottingham Stadium tonight, and Beal expects a final pitch, although Beal believes it will be in vain.
''That's just how this process is,'' Beal said. ''They won't give up.''
But Beal, who has a 4.3 GPA and will graduate in December, said he won't change his mind, even though the first day of the National Letter of Intent Day isn't until Feb. 6.
''I don't think I'll change my mind because I'm graduating early,'' Beal said. ''I'm going to be starting classes in January. I'm 110 percent Gator now.
''Things happen. God can only tell that, but now I'm going to start filling out admission papers.''