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Big Reds’ Bryson Singer in demand on the recruiting trail

By Joseph P. Albright 5 min read

PARKERSBURG -- Parkersburg High senior quarterback Bryson Singer entered the summer holiday a little discouraged with COVID-19 and from the absent amount of college offers flowing in.

The Big Red signal-caller and safety had just completed a standout season ended prematurely because the Big Reds weren't eligible for the playoffs, thanks to COVID. He had hopes his numbers would bring attention to his want of playing football at the NCAA Division I level. But to that date, it must not have been readily apparent to many.

So, it wasn't a complete mystery on why he felt a little down in the dumps.

"Everyone told me I had a good season," he said. Indeed. What else can you call a junior year where a player throws for 687 yards and 13 touchdowns to just four interceptions, rushes for 1,235 more with 14 more scores along with performing dominantly on the defense side of the ball in just eight games?

Yet, PHS head coach Mike Byus explained to curious onlookers why the numbers may not have been the best way to gauge an athlete in 2020. "Teams couldn't tell if someone played six, eight or ten games," he said.

That is correct.

Of course, their was still the matter of fifth-year seniors needing to make a decision on whether to leave or stay after the NCAA granted them an extra-year of eligibility thanks to the pandemic.

Still, Singer "really pops off when you watch video and on the field when you see his athletic ability," Byus said. Where were the offers, then? Still lacking.

That fact becoming a tougher pill to swallow upon his finishing third in the nation at the quarterback spot in the prestigious Elite 11 rankings on May 6. His numbers being good enough to win any other region of the country but his. And both people finishing above him, Eli Holstein and Zach Osborne, already possessed D-1 offers.

"I kind of thought that was when I was going to shoot up," Singer said. It was a logical ideal. When the two kids are receiving recruiting offers from Indiana and LSU, it makes a lot of sense.

And father Brian and he went everywhere to get him attention. The family cancelling their beach plans and anywhere else they were going to make sure Bryson could continue receiving exposure.

But it took almost another two months before his first D-I offer rolled in. The ball finally starting to roll when he took a trip up to Cincinnati where he worked out for Bearcats' quarterback coach Gino Guidugli.

"He called and told me the staff liked testing times, athleticism and arm strength," Singer said upon landing the offer on June 21.

His demand won't be stopping anytime soon.

WVU offered him that Friday and Marshall followed soon afterward on June 17.

The Mountaineers were impressed with his intangibles and ability to play in their Spear linebacker position, where he would be responsible for run coverages but then flip to a nickelback in passing situations.

The Thundering Herd were interested in him at safety.

""It really kicked things off … I didn't think everything was going to happen so fast," Singer says thinking back on the Cincinnati visit.

Regardless, his days are very busy now.

There are likely more offers coming his way with multiple other visits to places like Big Ten Conference participant Penn State, Virginia Military Institute, Youngstown State, Elon and D-I Football Bowl Championship Subdivision power James Madison University all lined up for July. At least, the is what Singer figures is coming his way.

"A lot of these coaches are waiting to see me in person and every camp I have gone to so far I have been offered I am not really sure what is going to happen, but I am going to do my thing as I always have," he said. "I am just trying to get whatever puts me on the field the fastest."

And those plans only factor in the remaining summer until the high school season begins. Once Singer returns to the field, he will find himself on the short list of Kennedy Award nominees given annually to the top football player in the state. His names already drawing attention to him.

Should he hope to win the award, his performance would draw even more attention to his cause, which may mean some in-season visits. And, his father believes that the Preferred Walk-On offers will flip to scholarship offers if his son takes care of business.

Something Bryson certainly plans on doing.

"I am always ready for anything," he said.

Byus agrees.

"I don't see why he wouldn't be. Nobody works any harder and he is just so versatile. I think you will see him at linebacker, quarterback, wide receiver, safety, defensive back and maybe a little more for us in the fall," he said.

Starting at /week.