He arrived at Plantation High just before 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 11. As Brandon McGee walked through the doors of the media center, he took a deep breathe and then proceeded to enter the very doors that have helped him reach his decision.

Brandon McGee

With throngs of media from local and national websites on hand, the senior quarterback/defensive back standout made sure that those who helped to influence his decision were also close to his heart on this day.

McGee’s father, stepmother, grandparents - from both sides of the family, friends, teammates and those who helped pave the way academically, were include in a decision that would surely change the course of a young life.

Dressed in an burnt orange shirt with a matching tie and black pants, McGee and head coach Steve Davis had planned for this day since the recruiting process heated up.

“He told me that he wanted to make the decision on the first day of practice, on August 11th,” Davis said. “He also said that the decision he makes on that day would be final. It would be the last time he mentioned any other programs other than his school choice and Plantation High.”

As Davis handed the microphone to McGee, he was nervous at first, but then went right into the reasons why it was important for him to spotlight his family, friends and teammates in a first class manner. It was important for him to include everyone who made this possible - for schools such as Miami, FSU, Mississippi and Tennessee ­- to be on his shortlist of teams.

As he finished thanking the many people, naming each and everyone, McGee sat in the chair, with his family members flanked by his side.

Reaching down to a bag beneath his feet, McGee said: “from now on, when anyone needs to know what school I will attend, I am going to be a…….” As he emerged from a few seconds under the table, McGee finished his thought…..”a CANE.” “I am going to be staying right here where my family can watch me.”

With the announcement, the crowd applauded a decision that many saw coming, especially after McGee had dropped the Hurricanes, and then added them back in the past few days.

“I kept thinking about FSU all Sunday night,” McGee said. “But when I woke up at 5 a.m., I knew that being at a program that was growing, and the fact that my family could come watch, it was clear to me.”

While some want to credit the Hurricanes for the tremendous recruiting job, maybe they may want to thank McGee’s father for the save. He had taken Miami out of the mix, and a talk with his father brought the ‘Canes back into the picture. It appeared, from talking to McGee that he would be a Seminole, a school that he grew up watching and liked.

“After I took Miami out of the mix, my dad had a heart-to-heart talk about wanting to leave and get away,” McGee said. “He was right about a lot of things, and one of them was being able to be so close to the family. A family that I am deeply close to.”

RAIDERS, BUCKS NATIONALLY RATED
It has been a tremendous off season for Broward County football programs and for some of its more talented players.

While most regard defending 5A state champion St. Thomas as one of the best teams in the state, those who cover high school football nationally, think enough of the Raiders to have them as high as 5th in the country.

The only team the Raiders lost to last year, Deerfield Beach, also has been getting some love. The Bucks are as high as 8th in the country, and are rated No. 5 in the state in the Florida Football Magazine. St. Thomas is No. 2 in that magazine. Cypress Bay is the only other Broward team to mentioned. Coach Mark Guandolo’s Lightning are No. 20.

Also, the annual periodical of high school football in the Sunshine State selects McGee and Ely cornerback Michael Carter as first team pre-season all-state performers.

Among the juniors listed statewide, St. Thomas center Brandon Linder was rated No. 3, while running back Gio Bernard is listed at No. 7.

You can reach Larry Blustein via e-mail at FloridaKids1@hotmail.com. He can also be heard every Thursday night (9-10) on the Miami Dolphins High School Gridiron Report on WQAM (560 AM).