Brandon Summers is the quiet leader, the guy who wants to show, not say, what he can do on a football field.  Summers had a strong finish in 2008 and came in tabbed the starter for 2009.  He is settling into his role and thinks that this year’s YSU offense is going to show some people why this team’s expectations are so high for 2009.  I recently had a chance to talk with Summers about everything from Sociology to pepperoni.

Paneech: Why did things suddenly start to click toward the end of last year?

Summers: Earlier in the season [2008], we had a little quarterback controversy.  Once I was given the starting job and became more comfortable with the offense, things started to roll for us.  It was hard to have team unity when we didn’t know where we were headed.  Once we did, things were good.

Paneech: Did the two long drives against Pitt fuel a fire for what this offense is capable of?

Summers: They [the drives] proved that we can move the ball against a bigger team like Pitt.  It helps our confidence, and we are gonna go from there.  We still have alot of work to do.

Paneech: You write left-handed and throw right-handed.  I throw left-handed and write right-handed.  Are we weird?  How does that happen?

Summers:  (laughs) I guess you gotta ask the man above about that one.

Paneech: How did you end up at YSU?

Summers: First, I was enrolled at Toledo University for two years.  Then I tried to transfer to Southern Illinois, but the coach there got fired.  A high school teammate of mine, Dominique Barnes, told me about Youngstown and the fact that I might have a good opportunity to play here, so I took that advice in stride.

Paneech: If your brother Derrick were lined up against you (Derrick is a linebacker at Toledo) what could we expect to see?

Summers: You would see alot of competitiveness.  All of our lives, we have been on the same team, but never on the opposite team.  You would see good things.

Paneech: Who is your favorite team and quarterback in the NFL?

Summers: I like Donovan McNabb.  I was compared to him often when I played high school ball.  Ever since then, I keep an eye on what he does and we do many similar things.  The Philadelphia Eagles are my favorite team.  I’m happy for Michael Vick and that he received a second chance.  Everybody messes up, some things bigger than others, and if Vick can capitalize on that chance, I would be happy.  He has shown that he is sorry and he deserved this chance.

Paneech: As a casual YSU fan, why would I buy into this team making the playoffs?

Summers: Last year, I felt we were pretty good, but were hurt by all of the injuries.  This year, we have got everyone back and healthy.  You saw in the Pitt game that we can do some things as a team when everyone is healthy.  Put all of your money on us (laughs).

Paneech: You recently had a touch of the flu, are you 100% now?

Summers: I am about 75% healthy, but getting better fast.  I’m gonna play, and you won’t be able to tell in the game.

Paneech: What is the class here at YSU that you absolutely despise going to?

Summers: Spanish.  I had Spanish in 9th grade way back when and it is hard to pick anything back up. 

Paneech: Why Sociology as a major?

Summers:  I feel like I am good with people.  I like talking to people and finding out why they do what they do.  I feel it is a major that is best suited for me.

One Word Answers

Favorite TV Show?  The Bernie Mac Show

Favorite College QB?  Past?  Troy Smith,  Present, Terrelle Pryor

Favorite Flavor of Ice Cream?   Vanilla

Kim Kardashian or Beyonce?  Since Beyonce is taken, I’ll take Kim Kardashian.

Favorite Fast Food?  Wendy’s

Boxing or Pro Wrestling?  Boxing

Best Cartoon Ever?  Doug

Favorite Baseball Team?  Detroit Tigers

Favorite Video Game and System?  Madden and PS3

If You Were Ordering Pizza, What would You Get On It?   Just pepperoni, in fact, I would tell them to put less cheese on it.