Meet the Recruits: An Interview with Briggs Orsbon

(Ed. note: We have a special treat for you guys today. In what will be the first of hopefully a handful of these interviews, this is designed as an opportunity to get to know some of the recruits from the Class of 2008. Today, we have Briggs Orsbon, the three-star receiver from Crestview High in Ohio. I hope everyone enjoys.)

Phil Friend: The most intriguing thing Ball State fans probably want to know right now is what happened on Signing Day with Purdue? Brady Hoke said the Boilers offered you a scholarship, but you had already sent in your LOI. Had the scholarship been offered the day before, would you have considered going to West Lafayette?

Briggs Orsbon: For the record, I don’t think Purdue officially offered me. I haven’t heard from the Boilermakers since I committed to Ball State back in late November. They may have called Coach Hoke to see if I had signed yet, but they never contacted me, due to the fact that I had my LOI signed and sent in so early. If they had offered on Tuesday it still would have been too late for me. They had their chances to offer me earlier in the recruitment process and just never pulled the trigger.

PF: What attracted you to Ball State the most?

BO: First off the coaches. Stan Parrish is a very experienced coach that knows what he is doing. The location of the college is close to my home, which is convenient for myself and my family. Also the coaches stressed to me my role for the team and when I would be filling it. I wanted to go somewhere where I could play and win, and Ball State was the place.

PF: How familiar were you with the program before the coaching staff started recruiting you?

BO: I knew a little bit about the college, because I came on a visit with my brother four years ago. However I didn’t know much about the team or the program until I came on my first visit.

PF: Where did your brother end up playing football?

The visit wasn't for football at Ball State. He could have played at a D-2 or 3 college, but chose not to. So he just attended Miami University in Ohio.

PF: What other schools expressed the most interest in you, before and after you verballed to BSU?

BO: The schools that I was closest with were Purdue, Bowling Green and Akron. After my verbal I didn’t hear from any of them, which was really nice because they respected my decision and didn’t try to sway me.

PF: Did any schools recruit you as a quarterback?

BO: No schools were recruiting me as a quarterback. Many of them recruited me as an athlete because they weren’t sure where they would need me.

PF: Were there any reservations about not playing quarterback in college? Or were you OK with playing receiver from the beginning?

BO: My idea all along was to play wide receiver in college. To be honest, my junior year of high school I was scared because I had to play quarterback. I didn’t think the D-1 schools would offer me because they would never be able to see my ability at receiver.

PF: Are you going to miss playing QB?

BO: Maybe at times, but I have always thought of myself as a receiver. Playing quarterback allowed me to touch the ball every play, which is every playmaker’s dream. I sure won’t miss the criticism that comes with playing quarterback though!!!

PF: What current players on the team (or incoming recruits) have you gotten to know and bonded with already?

BO: On my official visit I got to spend a lot of time with Dan Ifft and Sean Baker. I haven’t had a chance to talk to any of the guys from my class yet though.

PF: What have you heard about your chances of playing next season and what are your goals?

BO: I’ve been told that I will definitely have opportunities to find playing time next year as a true freshman. I will likely be on most of the special teams and I’ll be the guy that will give Dante Love a breather now and then. A lot of my playing time will depend on how well I perform in practice.

PF: What do you consider your greatest athletic moment on the high school football field?



(Ed. Note: This is a SWEET play! Thanks to Briggs for sending this my way.)

PF: What do you plan on majoring in? And what do you intend to do within that field?

BO: I plan on being a business major. I’m totally sure what direction that I want to go with it yet, which is what is nice about Ball State, because I won’t have to decide until my junior year. Maybe working in the insurance field or possibly starting my own snowboard manufacturing company. It will be nice to be so close to Indianapolis though because it will offer a lot of internships and opportunities for me.

PF: You mentioned to me earlier that you hope to wear No. 5 at Ball State. Is there any significance to the number five for you?

BO: The number 5 has been in my family forever. My cousin had it, my brother, and now me. In every sport I wear it. My family is known at my school for wearing the number 5, but unfortunately I will be the last to wear it, because I am the last of my family.

PF: This is probably the most important question: What are you top five favorite movies?

BO: 1. The Prestige; 2. 300; 3. V for Vendetta; 4. Friday Night Lights; 5. Wedding Crashers