NFL Draft prospect Brenden Rice is in a rush to make a name for himself.
The USC wide receiver is currently best known as the son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.
5
5
5
But Brenden is ready to carve his own path in the NFL after a standout college career.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound receiver spent his first two collegiate seasons at Colorado before transferring to USC.
In 12 games last season, he caught 45 passes for 791 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Over the course of his college career, Brenden scored 21 touchdowns on just 111 receptions.
Brenden is projected to be a late third-round pick in the NFL Draft, which will take place in Detroit April 25-27.
However, the 22-year-old doesn’t worry about where he ends up in the selection process.
He highlights the success of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who went from Mr. Irrelevant to Super Bowl star.
“It doesn’t matter when your number is called,” said Brenden Palm Beach Post.
Most read in American football
“[Purdy] called Mr. Irrelevant, but he made the most of the opportunity. That’s all that matters.”
Brenden completed the 40-yard dash in 4.51 seconds at the NFL Combine.
And there’s an outside chance Brenden could join his father’s old team, the 49ers.
But the college star says he would rather join another team to create his own legacy in the league.
Brenden doesn’t feel extra pressure to deliver because of his famous name.
“It’s a blessing to have that last name, Rice, and to know that people expect so much from you,” Brenden said.
“I was able to take away his work ethic every day.
“I have to do my best and know that I’m looking for something different, which separates me in this class of receivers.”
He’s always bragging about being bigger and faster
Jerry Rice
For many years, Brenden and Jerry had a strained relationship.
Jerry had an affair with Brenden’s mother, Djakarta Edwards, while he was married to his first wife, Jacqueline Bernice Mitchell.
“I didn’t have that father figure for a long time and [my mother] really took on both roles,” said Brenden Cronkite’s news.
“This is what I needed to move forward and become the person I wanted to be in the long run and I am truly blessed to have it.”
The pair got close when Brenden was a teenager.
“It really went from ‘Yeah, we talked, but nothing too close’ to actually being ‘Hey, what’s up’ at any time of the day,” Brenden said.
Jerry, for his part, is extremely proud of his son.
“He’s always bragging about being bigger and faster and everything,” Jerry said. Fox News Digital.
“Just going out there, supporting him, being in the stands and watching him perform on the football field is really exciting.
“It’s one of those things where I knew if he followed in my footsteps, the pressure that would be put on him, and he was willing to take that on.
“And I think he’s doing a fantastic job.”
5
5
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
