As seen on UltimateRecruit.comUVA bound Brian Delaney managed to be the lone Virginian on the Parade All-American teams
by Jim McGrath, recruitNoVA
Brian Delaney, Westfield’s first team 6A All-State kicker has earned another distinguished honor – one that truly separates him from every other high school football player in the Old Dominion.
The University of Virginia signee was recently selected as a Parade magazine 2016 All-American, making him the only player from the state to earn a spot (first team or honorable mention) on the squad. The All-American team was displayed in the Parade magazine that was included in many newspapers nationwide last Sunday.
Delaney was instrumental in the Bulldogs’ successful 2016 season, which ended with a 13-2 record and a second consecutive 6A state title. The 5’11” senior, who also doubled as the Bulldog punter, scored 96 points, while converting 12 field goals and 60 extra points, helping Coach Kyle Simmons’ team overcome a rocky 4-2 start to reel off nine straight wins and defend their 2015 championship. Westfield finished the season with an exciting 34-28 double overtime win over Oscar Smith in the 6A final at Armstrong Stadium in Hampton.
Coach Simmons spoke of Delaney’s talent as the key member on kickoffs and punts.
“We rarely had to cover a kickoff during his tenure,” said Simmons. “It is a huge advantage in high school when you know the opposing team will be starting at their own 20 (yard line).” In fact, about 75 percent of Delaney’s kickoffs (59 of 81 in 2015 alone) sailed into the end zone, setting up a touchback situation.
Brian Delaney’s ability to hold punts in the air was another advantage, according to Simmons.
“Brian regularly flips the ball with his punts. He routinely punted the ball above the lights at high school stadiums, and his hang time rarely gave opponents the opportunity to return punts.”
The third advantage of his kicker’s leg strength came from giving the coach more options on offense.
“He allows you the shot at long field goals. (Delaney) hit a 42-yard field goal as time expired against Robinson,” said Simmons, recalling his kicker’s game winner which gave the Bulldogs a narrow 29-28 victory over the Rams in mid-October, as Westfield was struggling to find its bearings as a team.
As a junior, Delaney made 11 field goals and averaged 45 yards per punt, and won first team 6A All-State honors as a kicker and punter. He is a first-team MaxPreps All-American as a punter, an Under Armour All-American, and Delaney played in the 2017 Under Armour All-America game at Camping World Stadium. He is rated a five-star kicker and a five-star punter by Kohl’s Kicking, as well as the No. 1 punter in the country by Kohl’s Kicking. The three-year starter is also rated as a three-star recruit, and the No. 2 kicker by ESPN.com, and No. 5 high school kicker in America by 247Sports.com.
Perhaps no one was more surprised by the Parade selection than Delaney himself.
“I didn’t have any warning,” said Delaney. “My Mom was the first to see it on Sunday when she picked up the newspaper and told me. It was a pretty cool surprise.”
Delaney is excited about both his pending academic and athletic career at U. VA.
Asked about a potential senior slump in his final semester of high school, Delaney was quick to tell a reporter that he has been studying hard and his upcoming grades should remain in the 3.6 GPA range. “Things are going well (academically).”
“I’m fired up and can’t wait to go and help the Cavaliers, It’s a dream come true and I’m looking forward to going,” said Delaney. He had no answer to the question of possibly redshirting with the Wahoos, but his goal is to become both the kicker and punter with Virginia. Asked if he expected to play both positions from Day 1, he echoed one of Coach Bronco Mendenhall’s favorite lines, explaining that every position with the Cavs is “earned, not given.”
Yet, with an All-American honor in his back pocket, and four years of hard work ahead of him, Delaney’s future in Charlottesville could end up becoming very memorable. After a 2-10 season in 2016, it is safe to say that the University of Virginia truly upgraded at one, and possibly two positions heading into 2017.
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