The Future of Football! : Interview with Daron Bryden and his father Craig.

I recently had the privilege of meeting Craig Bryden on twitter. He sent me a link to one of the many articles written on his son Daron and his accolades playing youth league football. Daron is ranked by the football guru’s as the best quarterback in the nation at his age group. Last year he was only 8 years old quarterbacking in a league of 9, 10, and 11-year-old boy’s. The upside for this young man is ‘priceless’.

Both of Daron’s parents are deaf. He communicates with his parents by sign language. I sent Craig and Daron a list of questions to answer via e-mail and this is what they said.

Craig Interview

TFO: At what age did you notice Daron taking a liking to the sport of football?

Craig: He played a lot of hoops when he was a baby. Then one day when he was 5 he saw me playing Madden video game on my Xbox 360, that is how it started that he fell in love with the game of football.

TFO: Were you excited about Daron playing football at such a young age or did you have reservations?

Craig: Oh yes! I was very shocked and excited to see how good my son is as a Quarterback. He seems very natural at it. Sometimes I have a hard time believing that he is my son! It is like a dream to have a very talented son who is good at something!

TFO: Currently you have Daron being coached by a private quarterback coach. What is the coach working on with Daron?

Craig: Darons QB Coach is Todd Krueger. We drive to RI for his QB training with his QB coach. Todd is an awesome QB coach. Daron is learning a lot of things from him such as scramble drills, footwork drills and many more! Daron sees his coach weekly. Even when his football season is over he still sees his QB coach no matter what. He just loves to practice and wants to be the best he can be!

TFO: Daron has been named the best quarterback of his age group in the nation. What are your long-term goals for Daron?

Craig: At Every QB camp Daron attended he was easily the best QB in his age group and even beat older kids who were in 4th, 5th and 6th grade with his throwing mechanics and footwork. The coaches were in awe to see how good he is as a 3rd grader! Coaches tell me he is going to have a great future if he keeps up the good work! QB Coaches that Daron has met at the camps still keep in touch with me via Facebook or texting to see how Daron is doing! It is nice he has fans and supporting him to do well!

TFO: Have colleges and universities been recruiting Daron already? If so have you and Daron made any commitments to any colleges or universities?

Craig: Yes I was told a few coaches in Division 1 schools have been impressed with Daron’s mechanics and footwork. They are keeping an eye on him. Even GatorSports.com (Recruiting for Florida Gators) (Heres the web site http://recruiting.blogs.gatorsports.com/11067/scouting-an-8-year-old-trick-shot-artist/ ) wrote an article about Daron after seeing his trick shots on YouTube. Daron s dream is to be a QB for UConn because he wants to be close to his family. Also I heard that few prep schools in New England are already looking at Daron!

Daron Interview

TFO: What is it about the sport of football you love so much?

Daron: I like football because it is a fun sport. I love to throw passes to my wide receivers and throwing touchdown passes. Playing football helps me to stay active and keep me busy.

TFO: What is your favorite play to call and run in the huddle and why?

Daron: My favorite play to run last year was Jet Left and Jet Right because those were passing plays. This year we will be running a spread offense and a no huddle offense too! My Junior Pee Wee Coach Elmore told me this year that we will run more passing plays than running plays because he has confidence in my passes.

TFO: You have accomplished so much at a young age already. What are your goals as you grow up?

Daron: My goals are to play for Division 1 college football,  hopefully for UConn, if not I don’t mind going to Rutgers or Boston College. After college I hope to be a QB for the Pittsburgh Steelers because the Steelers are my favorite NFL team.

TFO: What is your favorite NFL team?

Daron: Pittsburgh Steelers

TFO: Do you play any other sports besides football?

Daron: I play basketball as a Point Guard. I was unstoppable in my town league. The kids couldn’t stop me. My team went 9-0-1. My team tied one game because I had to go to Las Vegas for QB Camp that weekend. I also played in another league in Hartford for Northwest boys and we went 10-0 and won the championship as well!

TFO: Why do you wear #10?

Daron: My real number was #7 but last year I moved up to Junior Pee Wee (age 9-11) from Mighty Mites level because there was no competition for me  at the Mighty Mites level. I was only 8 last year. One of my teammates already had number #7 so I choose number #10. This year I will be wearing number #7 because my favorite QB is Big Ben from the Steelers.

TFO: If you were not able to play football as an adult what would you want to be?

Daron: I am not sure yet. Maybe I will take over my father’s basketball courts business! He owns his own business called SnapSports NorthEast.

TFO: If there was one thing you wanted your fans to know about you what would it be?

Daron: I would like my fans to know that I have wonderful parents who are deaf. They are always there for me, supporting me and help me achieve my dream! I communicate with my parents using sign language. Also I am very humble and nice kid.

Epilogue:

I want to thank Craig and Daron for taking the time to answer a few questions. It is young men like this that are keeping the future of the games we love alive. I am so proud to have an opportunity to ask this young man questions about his dreams for the future. There is no doubt in my mind we will be watching this young man play on Sunday’s in the future. I can always tell my grandchildren I interviewed him at 9 years old!