ESPN 300 outside linebacker Richard McBryde was presented with his Under Armour All-America Game jersey Tuesday afternoon in a ceremony sponsored by American Family Insurance. The ceremony took place in front of family, friends, teammates and classmates on the campus of Charles Henderson High in Troy, Alabama.
The No. 65-ranked McBryde understands the magnitude of being selected to the Under Armour All-America Game.
“It means a lot,” McBryde said. “I think I’m the first from Charles Henderson High to be selected, and that means a lot to me."
As important as it is personally for McBryde to be selected, the meaning for his school and community means more long term for the Auburn commitment.
“To me, it’s very big for the school and for Troy," McBryde said. "This gets exposure for the school and community. We have great athletes in my hometown, and hopefully this helps more players in the future.”
McBryde committed to Auburn July 26 over offers from Miami (Fla.), Tennessee, Florida, USC and a number of others. He joins No. 29 Kerryon Johnson as top 2015 prospects from the state of Alabama to pick Auburn and is one of six prospects from the state selected to play in the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game.
McBryde is also one of six Auburn commitments set to take part in the Under Armour All-America Game, joining No. 29 Johnson, No. 76 Jordan Colbert, No. 213 D'Anfernee McGriff, No. 228 Bailey Sharp and four-star linebacker Darrell Williams.
Richard McBryde receives his #UAALLAMERICA jersey. https://t.co/ppiOWXMh1B
— RecruitingNation (@ESPNRNFball) October 7, 2014Eight questions with Richard McBryde
Is there a specific player you are looking forward to going against at the Under Armour All-America Game?
McBryde: No, sir, there actually isn’t one player I’m focused on. I just want to go down there and have fun but test myself against the best.
If you were to start a team with any other player in your class, who would it be and why?
McBryde: I would start on offense and go with Kerryon Johnson. He’s a great all-around player.
Who is the best player to ever play in the Under Armour game that you know of?
McBryde: Probably Julio Jones. Julio Jones is a great athlete and a great player. I mean, his stats and what you see speak for itself since high school.
What is your earliest football memory?
McBryde: It’s my rec league days. When I was in second grade, I played quarterback. I couldn’t throw the ball at all, but they put me at quarterback and I just ran with it every play. That was a lot of fun and my first memory.
Which football player did you idolize or want to be like when you were a kid?
McBryde: It was Ray Lewis when I was young, and then as I got older Patrick Willis. With Ray Lewis, he just stays hype on the field all the time and he dominated.
If you could take on any pro player in their sport, who would it be?
McBryde: I don’t know. That’s a tough one. I guess I would say Carmelo Anthony. I would like to play a little one-on-one against him, but I don’t know why (laughing).
What number do you wear and why?
McBryde: I wear 15. The reason is because I was 15 years old when I first played varsity, and my graduating year in 2015. I plan to wear it in college, but I don’t know if that’s going to happen yet.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
McBryde: I don’t know. I feel like people know me very well. On the football field, I don’t think people know I can cover well. That’s one thing that would surprise people.
