The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THURSDAY’S GAME
Center: Teammate ‘has a motor out of this world.’
Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech, 7:30 p.m., ESPN, 680 AM, 93.7 FM
Years before he became an ball games.” expert at delivering punish- Braun earned second-team ing trap blocks and forceful All-ACC last season as a soph- drive blocks, Georgia Tech omore, and his play has only left guard Parker Braun used improved, which he cred- to find his peace through its to added muscle gained daily runs of 3 to 4 miles over the offseason and the through his neighborhood. son for Tech, Braun’s play benefit of experience gained
“Some days, I would listen has won him widespread through having started since to music and not think about admiration among the Yelthe second half of his freshanything,” Braun said. “And low Jackets and across the man season. then other days, I would not ACC. The Jackets, who are “He’s really physical and take my iPod and just listen off this weekend and return gets after it,” coach Paul Johnto the neighborhood, just to play Thursday at Virginia son said. “He’s been the most some cars passing and birds Tech, have not been able to consistent guy there (on the and stuff.” count on much. offensive line).”
That was a middle school But the junior from KisWhile his play-to-the-whispassion. And it’s one Braun simmee, Fla., has scratched tle style might suggest the would like to return to when his brain itch with regularity, temperament of a cocky football is over, provided his driving back defensive tack- brawler, it actually flows out knees retain their function- les on runs up the middle of a young man who is torality. For now, the new pur- and using the agility gained mented by doubts about his suit provides its own pleafrom his cross-country days ability. When he executes a sures, like a block in which to pull on runs to the perim- block properly, Braun said his he can barrel into defend- eter and topple lineback- feeling is not one of eupho- ers, a 280-pound package ers with cut blocks. His pass ria or satisfaction, but relief of force and leverage. blocking may be develop- and a soothing answer to his
“I love the pressure behind ing – his grounding was in self-criticism. your nose when you hit some- an option-style offense in “Because, ... personally, body,” Braun told the AJC. high school, when his father, I’m constantly plagued with “You don’t really feel that in Mike, was his position coach doubts like, ‘You’re not a anything else that you do.” – but he stands his ground good player. You can’t do
Certainly not while run- and keeps his portion of the this. You can’t accomplish ning. pocket secure for quarterthose things,’” Braun said.
“It’s like scratching an itch back TaQuon Marshall. “So, when you accomplish in your brain, kind of,” Braun “That guy is special,” Pitts- a good block or have a good said. “You know, like when burgh coach Pat Narduzzi play, you can breathe and be you have to sneeze and your said. “If any line in the coun- like, ‘OK, you can do this. sinuses build up.” try had five of those guys, Relax.’”
Amid a disappointing sea- they would win a ton of foot- Braun may be the only one with that conception of him- mer Tech guard, wrote in self. Duke coach David Cut- an email. cliffe called Braun explosive, Despite his doubts, Braun tough and tenacious and that was encouraged by his play “he stays after you the entire in Tech’s 49-21 loss to Clemplay, wire to wire.” son against the Tigers’ cadre
Johnson s aid he rates of future early-round draft Braun among the top offen- picks. In a forgettable after- sive linemen who have played noon for the Jackets, Braun for him at Tech, a group that more than held his own, includes All-American guards putting multiple defensive Omoregie Uzzi and Shaquille linemen on their backs and Mason. Johnson thinks he’ll engaging with Clemson’s agile get drafted after his Tech defenders in space and drivcareer ends. ing them backward.
“He’s a little small, but I “It was reassuring on the would think he’ll be impresone hand,” Braun said, “but sive on tape when they watch then it’s also frustrating, like, him because he plays so man, I can actually play with hard,” Johnson said. these guys – I wish we were
Braun’s game play reflects winning.” what happens on Tech’s pracOn his 60th snap of the tice fields. game, with less than three
“His energy level is high, minutes to play in the lophis intensity level is always sided defeat, Braun got up high,” center Jahaziel Lee off the turf from a cut-block said. “He has a motor out try and, seeing that quarterof this world.” back Tobias Oliver had bro
Braun has grown to ken free, sprinted to keep embrace the toil of practice up with Oliver, looking for a through knowledge gained in defender to take out before a psychology class at Tech, tumbling over the pile when that smiling can affect one’s Oliver was brought down. mood. The experiment, con“I think it’s just the way ducted with tackle Andrew I play, I guess,” Braun said. Marshall, has livened the “Because if you’re going to offensive-line unit a nd do something, why not give inspired a nickname-giving it your all?” practice. (Braun’s is “Positive Narduzzi, whose team Parker.” Marshall’s is “Musplayed Tech prior to the tang Marshall” or “Adven- Clemson game, likely would ture Andy.” The monikers have appreciated the play. can have a seasonal flavor, He said he told his players hence offensive tackle Zach before the game that “you’d “O’Lantern” Quinney.) better watch out for that guy
“He’s quite a character because he will block you study for sure,” Braun’s older every down. He’s not going brother Trey, himself a for- to take a play off.”