NCAA Profile: Bucknell University Fullback Brandon Besant

The CFC looks in on 4th year Fullback Brandon Besant and his play at Bucknell University.

Brandon Besant

Height/Weight
6’/210 Lbs

Position
Fullback

Hometown
Windsor, Ontario

Changing the way you play is never an easy thing to do, however Bucknell Universities Brandon Besant made the switch from Canadian football to American with ease. “The transition from Canadian football to the American style of football was not as difficult as it would be for Americans to come over and play our game. The running game is more prevalent in the American game because there is an extra down before turning over the ball. The biggest adjustment for me and the most difficult transition would have to be business like atmosphere surrounding the football in the US. It almost doesn’t feel like you are playing a sport anymore; it is almost like you are going to work every day on top of classes and school work.” A fact that can be seen through media alone, Besant experienced the vast difference between how each country takes on football, first hand. “This was a major shock and helped tremendously with time management skills and prioritizing my activities on a daily bases. Another transition that I had to get used to is the realizing that everybody else playing here was at the top level in their programs, so I was not the star of the team anymore. This is a common trend for most athletes that come to play football here in the US.”

Being Canadian often times makes it a bit more difficult to make it down south. Besant took what was giving to him, and ran with it. “The thing that separated me at a high school age was my work ethic and natural talent. I was always a fast kid growing up playing basketball, soccer and mainly running track. These skills helped me with the abilities I don’t believe you can teach, mainly speed.” Being a student of the game and having the willingness to always learn will also help get you to where you want to be. “With that under my belt it was strictly the way I was able to understand the game. These skills helped me move to the next level in the US because coaches picked up on these skills and noticed the way it fit into their team dynamic and philosophy when putting the freshman (first year) class together.”

Already in the position that Besant has dreamed of, leaves him with an abundance of advice for young players throughout the country. “My advice to the younger players coming up in the ranks would be to love the game of football if you want to move on and pursue post-secondary athletics. Football, unlike any other sport you could play, is a huge time commitment as well as a physical one.” Besant does feel however that get to the top, you need to sacrifice and if your not prepared, it will be difficult to get to where you want to go. “Unless you are willing to put in the time and effort don’t bother. However, if you do decide that it is something that you want to do in your life than go for it because it is a great experience if not for the football aspect, but for the group of lifelong friendships and connections you will make along the way.”

“When talking about getting yourself noticed to play football at the next level I would say it is very simple; make yourself stand out, have that extra spark that a coach is looking for, be easy to coach and have an open mind. Basically it comes down to just being better than the guy next to you, the guy across from you and pretty much everyone else you play with. Football is a game of challenges and as everybody knows nobody is perfect, but to get to the next level your goal should be to get as close to the perfection we all strive for as possible. If you put everything out there and you have the skill, you will be noticed and your name will be out there.”

Besant has great advice to offer players who are trying to make the next step. Having lived through the experience himself, Besant stress the importance of knowing the ins and ends behind the recruitment process. “I will mention one last comment about the recruitment process. If you are already talking to schools, make sure you involve yourself in the process and understand what is required for applications and essays. I unfortunately wasn’t very involved in this process and missed out on some opportunities, but I was lucky and ended up at a great institution. So, make sure you ask questions when questions need to be asked and voice your opinion wherever you find necessary.”

Ask a NCAA player what their biggest moment is, and many would say a particular game, or single achievement. Brandon Besant takes a more whole hearted approach to answering he question, showing the fullbacks true colors. “I guess the biggest moment for me so far would be just getting on the field. The satisfaction that I got when the coaches notice my ability and want to use my talents on the field was fulfilling. That is what I strived for when deciding to play in the US and when it happened it was a great feeling.”

As for what’s to come for the Windsor native, only Besant knows. His future has options and which ever path he takes, is one that will be met with pure satisfaction. “I am majoring in Computer Science at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and am currently in the job search stage of my life; the point in my life when I realized that it is time to be a grown-up. So after College I have one of two paths to pursue: 1) potentially playing more football in the CFL (maybe that will work out) or 2) find a job and start my life. Either way I would be happy because of how far I have come from Reginald Street in Windsor, Ontario. I guess the sky is the limit.”