Army Bowl: Five-star Radley-Hiles previews weekend commitment
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SAN ANTONIO - There is not some hilarious story as to how Brendan Radley-Hiles got his nickname.
Pronunciation is key, though: Bookie. Important to know it does not rhyme with sports bookie.
“My mom called me that before I was born,” Radley-Hiles said here at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. “It was just our thing at first. Then my brother started calling me that, cousins, sisters and I just went with it. There’s no reason for it.
“It’s just Bookie.”
On Saturday, the five-star cornerback will make his college commitment. The long, winding recruiting process is coming to the finish line.
“At the end of the third quarter, I’m the last person to go,” Radley-Hiles said.
“I’m happy about it. It’s been going on for a long time now. It’s been a bumpy road but it’s here now so we’re good.”
The Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy standout who started his career at Las Vegas Bishop Gorman before transferring to Calabasas, Calif., and then playing his senior season in Florida had been committed to Nebraska.
After a trip to Oklahoma, though, Radley-Hiles backed off his pledge to the Huskers in the fall. The Sooners remain a serious contender for him especially with close friend T.J. Pledger, a four-star running back, committed to the Big 12 power.
The five-star said hats from Oklahoma, UCLA, Clemson, Florida State, Nebraska and Alabama will be represented during Saturday’s announcement.
“It was a cool little visit,” Radley-Hiles said of Oklahoma. “I got to see what Norman is. I got to see the dorms, the people, the facilities, the coaching staff, the players. Overall, it’s a good place. It’s a good place for a college athlete.”
Recently, Radley-Hiles took a visit to UCLA. The Bruins were in the middle of a coaching change but the five-star knows all about new coach Chip Kelly and what he offers.
“When I got there coach Kelly wasn’t even there yet,” Radley-Hiles said. “He got there on the last hour of my visit so when I was leaving, he was coming in.
“I didn’t really get to talk to him on my visit but he came to IMG and he talked to me and T.J. We got to chop it up with him. He’s a cool dude. His message is loud and clear. He’s one of the only guys recruiting me that has been in the NFL war room. He understands what it takes to get there and what they’re looking for so that’s really his message to me.”