SAN ANTONIO -- While he didn’t get a chance to officially announce at Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl, 2014 athlete Brandon Garner (Arlington, Texas/Mansfield Timberview) did get the chance to unofficially announce at Friday’s U.S. Army National Combine.
Garner, a player who has lined up at multiple positions for Timberview, verbally committed to Purdue and became the Boilermakers’ first commit of the 2014 recruiting class. Garner has played wide receiver and outside linebacker, but he said he was recruited to play strong safety in the Big Ten.
Garner was at the Army combine with Timberview teammates Brandon Simmons and Ed Paris -- two ESPN Watch List players -- watching the event when he made the announcement.
“Me and my mom talked about it all week, and we decided we would do it [Friday],” said Garner, a 6-foot, 205-pound junior. “I just had the feeling. We liked the program and had been talking to the coaches a lot, and I did some research on it. They have a good team, and the conference is great.”
Garner said he wanted to major in business management, and Purdue has a high reputation for its business management program. It also plays in one of college football’s most respected conferences.
Garner chose the Boilermakers over an offer from UTEP and interest from TCU, Oklahoma State, UCLA, Washington. He was recruited by running backs coach Cornell Jackson and also built a solid relationship with Kevin Maurice, Purdue’s supervisor of player personnel.
Garner said he would like to be the player to jump-start a solid 2014 recruiting class at Purdue.
“I think I can be the one who can set it off,” he said.