Cornerback Juwuan Briscoe Discusses Recruiting, Ohio State and More.

By Jeremy Birmingham on December 21, 2014 at 11:00 am
Juwuan Briscoe is a talented two-way player.
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There's a lot of things you might not know about Waldorf, Maryland 2015 defensive back Juwuan Briscoe. That's intentional; he doesn't want to talk much about himself. He's a player from a high school (Thomas Stone) of just over 1300 and a three-star prospect at cornerback, where he's ranked as the 35th-best at his position. A position, you might not know, that he only started playing this year. Still, he was named The Washington Post's All-Met Player of the Year this past week.

"It's funny, I literally started playing cornerback in week four of this season," Briscoe told Eleven Warriors. "I had only trained the position for two weeks in the summer with my defensive backs' coach. I always played running back and safety. Now, I'm getting recognized for it, and I'm thinking 'I'm still a rookie.' I expected (the increased attention) but not like this."

The "like this" is major college offers from places like Ohio State, Michigan State, Florida, Clemson, Georgia and others. The reason is simple: 6-foot-tall, 185-pounds and 4.43-40 speed. He's got electric feet and although he's a self-described rookie at cornerback, college coaches are seeing something special. 

"A lot of coaches were talking about my speed," Briscoe said. "They think I have good hips and quick feet, I guess all the basics you look for in a cornerback. Still, when I first made the transition, I couldn't cover anyone, I didn't understand corner at all. Once I was starting there though I had to take the opportunity. I had to be serious about it, especially when I started getting the big-time offers. I knew I'd have to step my game up to a different level."

He did just that. He gave up only four receptions all year. He returned four interceptions for a combined 179 yards and his Thomas Stone defense surrendered less than nine points a contest. On offense, he torched defenses for 21 touchdowns and 1500 yards, averaging almost 10 yards a carry. It's easy to see why college coaches were all over Waldorf this fall.

"When Clemson offered," Briscoe said. "I was hyped. Ohio State offered right when Clemson did, and that's when things really took off. When I committed to Clemson though, they backed off."

Urban Meyer, as relentless as anyone in the country when it comes to recruiting, isn't known for backing off. Months later, it was the relationship Briscoe and his family have with Larry Johnson, Sr. that helped Ohio State get back into the mix.

"Ohio State got involved again mid-season when I contacted (Larry Johnson, Sr.)," Briscoe shared. "He is really close with my whole family, and is a family friend, ironically. He actually coached my aunt through her high school career. We've got a great connection. He's a legend in Maryland."

Johnson isn't the only "legend" on Ohio State's coaching staff. While that relationship may have helped reopen the door for the Buckeyes, Urban Meyer has played a vital role in keeping it that way.

"Just the fact that Urban Meyer is the coach there," he said of why Ohio State is so high on his list. "He wants the best players in the country and he doesn't just offer anyone. When we talk, he has this thing he tells me. 'I have your back.' He'll call and compliment me on my game, check in on me and my mom, just a regular conversation to make sure I'm ok."

Of course, the Buckeyes are not the only team still associated closely with the talented Briscoe. He admits that right now there are two teams vying for his early January commitment.

"It's Ohio State or Georgia," he said of his final two schools. "You can't go wrong with that, and it's just not football. I'm focused on what schools have to offer after football and they have just as much there as they do with football. They were both great visits. I can't really decide between the two right now, but I can't go wrong with either."

Choosing your future isn't easy. Briscoe is trying to find the best fit for himself and his family.

"It really comes down to my position coach, life after football and if I feel comfortable enough to maybe live there after everything is said and done," Briscoe added. "Right now, (besides Johnson) I'm closest to Urban Meyer and Kerry Coombs at Ohio State, and Jeremy Pruitt and Kevin Sherrer at Georgia."

There's no decision date planned for Briscoe, but he says it will be early January.

"I wouldn't feel comfortable setting a specific date," he concluded. "I'll just wake up one day and be like 'Welp, this is it.' My mom and I are just alike, and we're trying to get a feel for the right things. I don't want to say I know everything about each school, but I've done my research and asked players numerous questions. I can say I know what I need to about Ohio State and Georgia."

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