Dreams Come True in Beddingfield

By Tom Ham
Wilson Times Newspaper

On National Signing Day, the dream came true Wednesday morning for Beddingfield High football standouts Jumal Rolle and Tobias Brown.

And they will pursue the dream together. Each signed a national letter-of-intent to accept a football scholarship from Catawba College of the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Conference.

The big moment for each came during an informal ceremony. Rolle was joined by his mother, Latitia, and sister, Tinija. Brown was accompanied by his parents, Odell and Jenai. Also in attendance were Bruins head coach Tyrone Johnson and assistant principal Marquis Spell. "Catawba was the right fit for me to stay focused and play football," Rolle, a wide receiver and cornerback, said of choosing the Indians over East Carolina University, Winston-Salem, Wingate and Delaware.

"I've always had a dream to play Div. I, but it didn't work out. But wherever I go, I'm going to succeed," remarked Brown, who selected Catawba over North Carolina Central.

The 6-foot-2, 255-pound defensive lineman is the younger brother of Everette Brown, who recently completed an illustrious career at Florida State and is projected as a top-12 pick in the upcoming National Football League Draft.

Tobias Brown played four varsity seasons for the Bruins, notching 80 tackles his senior season with 26 tackles for loss and six sacks.

Rolle's varsity career spanned three seasons. He wound up with 21 career interceptions and, in just two years of playing offense, amassed 79 receptions.

As a senior, the 6-0, 175-pound Rolle notched nine interceptions, 72 tackles, four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. He caught 38 passes for 620 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Rolle anticipates playing cornerback collegiately, while Brown was recruited as a defensive end following duty at end and tackle with Beddingfield.

Johnson termed Catawba's ability to land Rolle and Brown as a "steal" and credited head coach Chip Hester for an outstanding job in recruiting Rolle. The Bruins' duo is entering a program that boasts 14 consecutive winning seasons.

Rolle expects to play as a freshman, while Brown anticipates being red-shirted. Rolle intends to pursue a degree in sports management and physical therapy, while Brown's likely field of study will be business management and sports marketing.

"I am very proud of them," Johnson said. "One of my goals was to see all of them go to college. I hope we have more (signees) to come.

"Jumal brings a winning attitude and tradition, and he's a player that can be used anywhere. Tobias has a lot of potential that people haven't seen yet."

Being accompanied by a teammate appeals to each, and they anticipate being roommates.

"There will be somebody there that I know and have been playing with the last three years," Brown said of being joined by Rolle.

Added Rolle: "We were like the heart of the defense, and we know what it takes to win games."

The 2008 Bruins started strong (9-0) before finishing with a 9-3 record and exiting in the first round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A playoffs.

Rolle deemed his senior season his best, pointing out: "I really worked hard this summer."

Brown regrets he did not perform up to expectations his junior season -- when he also struggled in the classroom.

"I will possibly red-shirt because they are stacked with defensive ends," Brown explained. "I have to succeed academically before I get to the field. The athletic part comes second.

"I just have to become bigger, faster and stronger, and change my study habits."

Rolle anticipates stepping into a new role (no pun intended) and demonstrating a hard work ethic. He hinted that he prefers defense over offense.

"I want to bring (Catawba) more wins," he emphasized. "Defense wins games. I enjoy defense the most because it's more physical. Offense was the fun part because I knew I could do it.

"(Catawba) needed defensive backs, and I think I will be a good addition. The major adjustment will be staying focused and improving my knowledge of the game."

Rolle's mother is optimistic that her son will continue to wear No. 6 on his jersey and, of his opportunity, exclaimed she was probably more excited than her son.

"We are very excited," Odell Brown said in behalf of his wife. "Tobias had some goals he had to reach."

And Like Tobias Brown's brother, the two Catawba recruits also include the NFL within the realm of possibilities.