Every Wednesday during the football year, Florida Prospects will showcase an athlete who may not be known throughout the state, but could easily be a Division One athlete. Today we showcase Orange Park star running back Brian Sumlar.

Sumlar is one of those backs with all the skills that it takes to make it to the next
level. He’s 5-10, 195lbs, has a 3.56 GPA, and runs consistently 4.35 to 4.4i n the 40 yard dash.

You may wonder why you’ve never heard of Brian Sumlar; that’s because last year he was in a crowded backfield and had to share carries with Terrence Pollack and others. Now he’s the humbled featured back that lives by one motto “To never give up and overcome with power, God’s power and then my power with his.”

Recently the Duke Blue Devils got a big surprise when Sumlar verbally committed a few weeks ago. “I liked everything about Duke when I went there.” said Sumlar, “The atmosphere, people, and coaches are exactly what I’m looking for along with the education. It’s so laid back there. I prayed about the situation, God answered my prayers and it was Duke.”

Brian is excited about the Blue Devil’s program and was quick to point out what he could bring to the Division - One school when he gets there.

“I’m bringing leadership, hard work, speed, and an all around team player” said Brian. “I’m happy I got my commitment out of the way, now I can just focus on helping my team get to the playoffs and possibly state, as well as, reaching a goal I have set for myself this year. I want to rush for about 2,000 yards this year and let everyone know I represent Orange Park High, and we have some playmakers here at our school too.”

Last season Brian had only 690yds rushing and seven touchdowns for the Raiders. This season through two games he has over 350yds rushing and four touchdowns, which leaves him behind another Florida prospect notable, Eric Baker (Ed White), and in front of Troy Pollard (Andrew Jackson). He’s in the elite of running backs in the Northeast Florida area.

“I take pride in working hard and pushing the other guys on my team” said Brian, “I think my best asset is my ability to stiff arm defenders, use my speed and vision to get through a hole, break tackles and catch passes. That is what you will get from me,” replied Sumlar.

Looking at Sumlar on film makes it hard to believe that this is only his first season as the featured running back on the Raiders team. He didn’t play football until his tenth grade year, and actually baseball was his first love, along with running track. He only recently started to put football first as his favorite sport and now considers himself a student of the game.

“I just love playing football. It makes me sad to see guys with talent let it go to waste. This is what really motivates me. I don’t want to be just another athlete who has all the talent in the world, but just faded away. I’m going to make a name for myself and manifest my talents, so I can tell other kids that it can be done with God first and hard work.”

Florida Prospects will continue to keep you posted on Brian Sumlar as he goes through the rest of the season.