HOMETOWN HERO: Brown playing in big games he watched as a kid

Jadarius Brown is putting Willis High School back on the recruiting map.

The senior athlete has pulled some big-time offers in Colorado, Colorado State and 2020 FCS National Champion Sam Houston.

Who says you can't get recruited out in Willis?

Brown was the District Utility Player of the Year as a junior and a second-teamer as a sophomore. What will he do for an encore?

"I've just gotten better at learning the game, studying film and becoming a better leader as a captain on the team," he said. "My big thing is always progressing as a team. Sure, state is on everyone's minds. We made the playoffs last season, now let's win a playoff game and go from there."

Being a senior is bittersweet for the hometown hero, who will turn in his purple and black for new college colors next year.

"Willis football has been everything to me," he said. "I grew up in Willis watching the same games I'm playing in now when I was a kid. It went so fast."

The biggest turning point in his career was the arrival of coach Michael Wall.

"We were lacking confidence as a team and a community," he said. "Coach came in and it was a 100-percent culture change. He's a winner and he's built confidence in all of us. He always tells us that you have to want to win, before you can win. He really preaches that every day."

The dual-sport athlete, who also plays outfield for the baseball team, looks back on his days at Willis with fondness. So, what would he tell his freshman-self now as a senior?

"Keep working, hit the weights and try and be great," he said. "Getting your college paid for takes a lot of work, so start early."

Ya'll, hear that freshmen?