LocalSportsJournal.com
BIG RAPIDS-It is that time of year. Football at every level is here so for Muskegon native Brady Rose in his senior year at Ferris State, it’s time for one last hurrah.
Every athlete, young and old, dreams and aspires to win at the highest level possible. Some high school athletes come from winning programs and move on to the college level. Since there is only one champion per division per state, not everyone will experience it.
No luck in high school? That certainly will not defeat players from chasing one of those NCAA plaques, which are even rarer.
What if one could have both?
For former Mona Shores High School standout Brady Rose, his next ring would have to go on a different hand. With two state championships for the Sailors and three NCAA Division II national titles, it is safe to say that Rose is living a story book football career.
“They recruited me during my senior year of high school,” said Rose. “I knew they were good, going to the national championship in 2018. I also knew Coach (Tony) Annese from Grand Rapids Community College.”
A Muskegon native and former MLive Player of the Year, it’s not a norm but an expectation. Now back for his senior season at Ferris State and officially in the midst of a dynasty in Big Rapids, that expectation has never been higher.
“It’s hard, national championships are hard to win. But now it feels if we don’t win the national championship, the season is kind of a failure. But in reality, you can’t even say that because it’s so hard to do.”
College athletics provides the melting pot of players who know their role and oftentimes requires players to take a step back from the numbers they put up in high school. Winning titles in 2021, 2023 and most recently in 2024, it’s safe to say FSU football has found a working formula that makes it an attractive program.
Further Aspirations?
Today’s age of college sports has what some call an epidemic and others the golden ticket to opportunity. You may have heard of it, as it has sparked up debate and noise throughout college sports.
The transfer portal
And some pieces of the FSU offense decided to take up that opportunity. “Going somewhere else wasn’t on my mind at all,” Rose said. “I didn’t even blink about transferring”.
A season ago, Rose caught 43 passes and had 430 yards receiving and a pair of touchdowns. Additionally, he ran for nearly 200 yards on 24 attempts with two touchdowns.
“I love playing football here and I love going to school here.”
Rose took a moment to recognize that yes, there is life after college football. “I am finishing my degree in construction management. A lot of schools do not have that degree”.
With the necessary schooling and winner mentality, Ferris State has fit like a glove for Rose both academically and athletically.
“The main thing is, I fit this offense super well. I’ve been playing for a while. And I only have one year left…it’s uncertain. You don’t know where you will be on the depth chart. That would not be worth it to me.”
Playing pro football isn’t exactly on the pallet for Rose. “I’ve been on five championship teams, that’s a lot of football.”
A recently engaged man, there is one extra big stage of life that Rose is preparing to walk on. One can only imagine balancing wedding planning with memorizing plays. “My fiancee and I are thinking about getting married next summer ... it has been a slow process but it’s been good!”
Back ‘Four’ More
Anybody that has won anything sports related knows that sometimes it’s not easy being on top. And with Ferris State playing on dynasty mode, the target on their backs grows increasingly each year.
Rose recognizes the coaching element from the Bulldog staff.
“Both Tony and Steve Annese (offensive coordinator/ wide receivers coach) know how to adapt with what they are given.”
And the competition year in and year out in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference gives rounds one and two of the NCAA tournament plenty difficult before the late playoff quest can begin.
“We know that we have a good conference. If we can win the GLIAC or have just maybe one loss that will give us experience for the playoffs. We play teams like Grand Valley State and Saginaw Valley State. Once we get out of the GLIAC, we know we’re in the national run.”
The Student-Athlete Experience
The transition from high school to college tends to teach young adults valuable life skills while attempting to master their craft on the field. “We train a lot, and spring ball is new from high school to college,” Rose said. “It begins in spring. Practicing in the spring gets us ready to play against ourselves in the spring game. I played baseball in the spring in high school so it’s a big difference. Instead, a lot more focus on football. You’re watching film and then studying the plays.”
If studying football is anything like construction management classes, you bet it’s right up Rose’s alleyway. Along with that, body construction has been an element to the college experience as well.
“You’re lifting, and you’re lifting hard. During the winter and while you’re practicing during the spring.”
The offseason grind typically prepares football players for training camp, but one never could prepare too much. “Training camp has been good ... we’ve had the ups and downs of getting back to normal, but overall we’ve had a great start. Helping get the young guys up to speed is always hard because they don’t know anything when they first come in. I didn’t know anything when I first came in”.
Rose was a key performer in the recent 34-17 victory over Pittsburg State. Rose scored on a 4-yard a touchdown run in the third quarter. He rushed seven times for 28 yards, caught four passes for 53 yards and completed 1-of- 2 passes for 6 yards.
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