Big Ten, ND favorites for OL

After taking in the Virginia Tech Nike Camp, offensive lineman Bryant Browning out of Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville prepares for another combine and names his top five.

The 6-foot-3, 325-pound mammoth plans to attend the Midwestern League Camp at Pittsburgh in late May. What does he want to improve upon there?

"I'm working to get my 40 time down to something around five flat or 5.1," he said. "I'm also lifting weights, running and doing some agility stuff too."

Browning currently has nine offers from Iowa, Boston College, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Northwestern, Kentucky, Miami (Ohio), Eastern Michigan and Ball State. The lineman is also receiving serious interest from Ohio State, Maryland, Notre Dame, Illinois and Indiana. Does he have any favorites right now?

"It's hard to say, I like Ohio State, Notre Dame, Iowa, Northwestern and Michigan State," he said. "I grew up in Ohio and I've always watched Ohio State on TV. A lot of players on my team went there that I looked up to and Ohio State has a good program. I like Notre Dame because they have good tradition and I used to watch them a lot when I was a kid and they are known for winning.

"I like Iowa because recently they've been one of the top teams in the past few years and they always have good offensive lineman who are getting into the NFL. I like Michigan State because they are not too far from home, they usually have good teams and they are in the Big Ten which has good competition. Finally, I like Northwestern because they're academics are really high and if I can't make it to the NFL, I can get one of the top educations in the country."

As for a decision, Bryant states that it will most likely be closer to Signing Day. Next season the lineman is looking to impress even more.

"I'm really just trying to be the best I can, so the team can win a state championship this year because we were only a couple games short last year," he said. "My goals personally are just to play hard and finish at the top of my state as a lineman and do the best I can do."

Currently in the offseason, Browning is doing the shot and discus for track.

"I'm doing alright, I'm getting ready for district which is in a couple of weeks," he said. "I'm hoping to make it to state and regionals."

How do the track events help the big lineman?

"Doing the shot and discus help a lot with my footwork and being more powerful," he said. "It also helps just for training during the offseason."

Browning was named all-conference as a junior.