Broad Run QB Brett Griffis (Photo: Lance Hinton/recruitNoVA)
Brett Griffis follows his brother to Wake
by Jim McGrath, recruitNoVA
Brett Griffis didn’t want to wait until the COVID pandemic had passed to make his college football commitment decision. Although he hasn’t yet played through his junior year season, the Broad Run quarterback wanted to be proactive.
When his second college offer came along, Griffis (c/o 2022, 6-0 185) weighed the possibilities and liked the options that existed with Wake Forest. His older brother Mitch is currently a QB on the Deacon roster, and he figured it wouldn’t hurt to reteam with someone he has come to rely on throughout his Spartan career.
“Any advice I hear from Mitch, I take it and run with it,” said the younger Griffis, who on Tuesday passed up on his first offer, from Old Dominion, and opted to accept the one from Wake Forest. “Whether it’s advice on how I should make my reads on a throw, or how I should recover my arm after I throw. I listen closely to what he has to say because he has more experience than I do, and I think experience is extremely valuable.”
Thinking of his immediate future, he noted that “many other schools had interest and wanted to wait and see how my junior season went. But I thought it was for my best interest to commit before the season.”
I am beyond excited to announce that I have committed to @WakeFB. I want to thank @CoachClawson and @CoachR_Wake for this incredible opportunity! #GoDeacs🎩 pic.twitter.com/er2XbB2z0A
— Brett Griffis (@brettgriffis10) December 22, 2020
Forward thinking runs in his household. Even with his father serving as Broad Run’s head coach, the Spartans have largely been unable to practice this fall because of the COVID threat, and accompanying VHSL rules. Yet, the Ashburn bunch has been getting in some work.
“We have held some player-run practices so we can get more than 10 kids out on the field at a time. We still wear masks and social distance to maintain good Covid-19 protocol.”
Griffis is counting on the extra work to help a close-knit contingent that is accustomed to winning.
“It’s definitely been a challenge. However, I think the group 25-30 guys that we need to win ball games have been working their tails off,” he added. “I lead the wideouts, running backs, and fullbacks, and we had another kid lead the O linemen. Very fun and productive practices.” Coming off of a Dulles District title and 12-1 record in 2019, the Spartans will have high expectations.
So will their young quarterback. As a sophomore, filling in for older brother Mitch, Griffis completed 73 percent of his passes for 800 yards and three touchdowns. Without the pressure that comes from being analyzed by potential recruiters, it will be interesting to see how far the younger brother can lead the Spartans.
– Jim McGrath
