Josh Brady has committed to play football for Jacksonville State University.
"It's been a whirlwind, but, yes, I committed to Jacksonville," the Silverdale Baptist Academy center, long-snapper and defensive lineman confirmed Tuesday.
Brady said he had a partial scholarship offer from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a preferred walk-on offer from Auburn. Other schools that had been recruiting him but had not yet made offers included Georgia, Mississippi State, Alabama-Birmingham and Samford.
"Auburn came by and looked, but scholarships for his primary (long-snapping) position are really hard to come by," Silverdale coach Al Rogers said.
Yet Rogers wasn't surprised that a full scholarship came along.
"He's that good at his specific skill. I think he's at least among the top five in the state and the top 20 in the nation," the coach said.
Brady is ranked No. 4 nationally for all grades and No. 1 in the class of 2016 by Kornblue kicking, and Kohl's professional camps has him listed No. 6 nationally.
"In my 20-plus years of coaching, he is one of the hardest-working kids at what he does. He's tenacious," Rogers said. "The kid probably averaged 5-10 camps per year. He really wants to play at the next level."
The offer from Jacksonville State was the answer to prayers.
"My family and I have been praying for that perfect fit," Brady said. "I went to camp (at JSU) and they said they were prepared to offer if I performed. The camp started at 9 and went till 5 and they offered me two hours in. (Head) coach (John) Grass is a godly man. They have Bible study twice per week."
Brady said the full scholarship offer and a chance to start as a freshmen were instrumental in his decision.
"I really liked UTC. They were my No. 1 choice," he said, "but it was a business decision and I'm now committed to the Gamecocks."
Jacksonville State opens its 2015 season at UTC.
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him at Twitter.com/wardgossett.