Coach & Player Magazine Spring 2017 | Page 21

was important, but it was hard for him to wrap his mind around at the time. It was everything we wanted it to be in the end though – we dropped off a boy and picked up a man.” It was during this process that more offers started to fly in: Western Michigan, Syracuse and UConn to name a few. But it was the Duke offer that instantly caught the Feamsters eye. “Anyone can be an athlete,” Malik started. “Anyone can run, jump or catch. But what makes you the kind of person Duke wants? Cheshire Academy did that for our son, it molded him into a someone who can meet their standards both academically and socially.” Fast forward two years, following a freshman season that saw him redshirt, and Brandon is one of the team’s most promising young players. All because his parents had the foresight to push him on a road less traveled. One that led him, and will continue to lead him, to experiences a more conventional path likely would not. It was not unlike years prior when his parents pushed Brandon to take part in the Parade of Roses despite his reservations. Mr. and Mrs. Feamster, take a bow. Feamster saw the field in 2016 and registered seven tackles. The Blue Devils struggled, though, and finished with a 4-8 record. Looking forward to the 2017 season, they have started spring practice, and head coach David Cutcliffe welcomed a recruiting class ranked in the nation’s top 50 for the second consecutive year. “Brandon is one of those redshirt freshmen who is a fast, strong and powerful guy,” said Duke head coach David Cutcliffe. “He is still learning the position, but he’s going to be on the field and find places to make plays.” Brandon has a lso learned to understand why his parents pushed him on the path that they did. “I wouldn’t be here without Cheshire,” admitted Brandon. “I was blessed with the opportunity to be there. It helped me mentally, physically and my maturation overall. It was huge and a great decision for me.” Brandon and the Feamster family. Coach & Player Magazine • Spring 2017 21