A nine-hour, all-night drive was between Goldsboro (NC) High WR Jamar Branch and the Plains of Auburn.The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder didn't care. He would've driven 20. Branch dreamed about the day he'd be in Auburn.Friday night Branch set out behind the steering wheel of his car with a road map in the passenger seat and directions to Auburn in his lap. As the sun rose Saturday morning, Branch found himself passing a sign that read "Welcome to Auburn. Home of Auburn University".He could hardly believe it."I left around 9:30 Friday night and drove all night long," said Branch, who was determined to be at Auburn's Junior Day. "I stayed up the whole nine hours just to get there. I didn't mind. Anything for Auburn. It's always worth it."Branch may be from North Carolina, but he's always been a huge fan of the Tigers. He had dreamed about the day he would actually set foot on campus, let alone Pat Dye Field at Jordan-Hare Stadium."I've always liked Auburn. I was raised on Auburn," said Branch. "My older brother is an Auburn fan, and my aunt likes them, too. I look up to him. He wanted to go to Auburn, too, but it didn't work out."Branch got the opportunity to go inside the stadium shortly after arriving on the Plains. His childhood dreams nearly got the better of him."I got there around 6:40 Saturday morning and went to the school. Nobody was there yet so I just drove around, ate breakfast," he said. "About 8:30 or 9 o'clock I went inside the stadium and was kind of scared because I was by myself. But everything was real cool."I went in the stadium and loved the recruiting lounge. I really liked the Bo Jackson jersey and stuff hanging on the wall. He is one of the reasons I love Auburn. I took a picture of it with my phone. I was just so excited to be there."It was really cool going on the field. I was picturing myself playing there, hearing my name over the intercom and hearing everyone chanting my name. I loved it."During the scrimmage is when it really hit me that I was actually in Auburn, that I had finally made it. At one point, I just held my head down and starting crying a little bit. I was like 'Man, I'm in Auburn. I never thought I'd make it there. I just love Auburn."Following the scrimmage, Branch spoke with some of the Tiger coaches including WR coach Greg Knox and toured the campus and facilities."Coach Knox was talking to me mostly about academics, what I need, and all the things I need to do to get here," he said. "I liked the campus and everything. I really enjoyed it. To tell you the truth, I loved it."While on the Plains, Branch found time to grab up some Auburn gear to take back home with him. Following the Junior Day activities, Branch then drove back arriving home early Sunday morning."I bought some Auburn stuff and wore it all day. I got home around 1 or 2 o-clock and before I went to bed, I put on my Auburn stuff and went to sleep in it," he said. "I was just so excited."Branch has yet to receive an offer from Auburn, but if he did, it would be a dream come true. Needless to say, it wouldn't take him long to accept it."If they did, I'd jump at the opportunity," he said. "As a matter of fact, if they called me up right now and said I had a full ride to Auburn, it wouldn't have to be a full ride, just anything. I would wake my mom and dad up and tell them, 'I'm going to Auburn!'"Branch, who is also receiving strong interest from Clemson, N.C. State and South Carolina, plans to make a return trip soon."I'm going back to their camp in the summer," he said.Another nine-hour, all-night drive he can't wait to make.
Actually, I just looked at the date and it was in 2007 for the 2008 class...but still a cool article and was posted to make RWS look like the typical jack ass he is...
4 Replies
736 Views