Brewster's Day Will Come Soon

Always well-prepared, Orlando Edgewater offensive lineman Michael Brewster will arrive in Columbus, Ohio, on Jan. 7 for his jump-start on college life and academics.

That night, the Ohio State Buckeyes, his new team, will face LSU in the BCS Championship Game at New Orleans.

"I wish I could be on the field with them," Brewster said. "But my day will come."

Actually, according to Edgewater coach Bill Gierke, Brewster's day arrived some time ago.

Brewster, a 6-foot-5, 295-pounder who was the No. 2 vote-getter on The Tampa Tribune's sixth annual Best of the South team, became assured of a distinguished future in the game, almost from the moment he arrived on Gierke's doorstep.

It was 2006, just before spring practice.

Gierke remembers being introduced to a new student.

A very large student.

"I didn't even know who he was and I sure wasn't aware he was at our school," Gierke said.

Brewster, a sophomore transfer from Orlando's Lake Highland Prep, certainly looked the part. But there was much to prove. Some were skeptical about Brewster's domination at a lower level of prep football. Among Brewster's new Edgewater teammates, there was an unspoken truth.

The new guy would have to earn his way.

And he did - starting with the first practice.

"This kid has uncommon drive, an incredible desire to be the best that I just haven't seen, and I've been doing this for 33 years," said Gierke, who has coached offensive-line gems such as NFL players Leon Searcy and Jamie Dukes, along with blue-chip college prospect Matt Hardrick.

"From the first time I saw Michael in pads, I knew. I just knew."

Brewster could play anywhere on the line. At Edgewater, he was a guard and tackle. Some recruiting analysts feel Brewster will evolve into Ohio State's center.

Gierke saw a grinding work ethic, fueled by physical skills, topped by intelligence. He knew that combination would produce a great player.

"I don't like to mess up on the field, and I don't like to mess up in the classroom," Brewster said. "I'll do whatever it takes, whether it's staying up until 3 in the morning to study for a test, doing extra drills or weight-lifting, whatever. That's just me."

Brewster's production has been noticed.

"He's one of the nastiest O-linemen in this year's class, and I love that about him," said Jamie Newberg, national recruiting analyst for Scout.com. "Once he locks up on you, it's all over."

"He has what you call a 'good punch' at the snap," said Bobby Burton, editor-in-chief of Rivals.com. "The first time you see him, you notice his explosiveness. I like his attitude. He's a mauler."

Newberg and Burton agree that Brewster is a great fit at Ohio State.

"Actually, Michael Brewster would fit in any system," Burton said.

Brewster, the ultra-competitive one, would love to be at the Superdome on Jan. 7, helping to neutralize LSU's defensive front.

"Naturally, your juices get flowing," Brewster said. "You'd like it to be happening now. But I know I have to be patient."

Reporter Joey Johnston can be

reached at (813) 259-7353