Frye: Brunson a tackling machine

It didn't take long for Richland Northeast head coach Jay Frye to know he had something special when he first watched linebacker TJ Brunson in action.

Brunson, who committed to South Carolina just over a week ago, proved Frye's instincts correct and has been the heart and soul of the Cavaliers defense for the last three years.

"He's been a tackling machine for three years," Frye told Emerson Phillips recently on GamecockCentral Radio. "He came out as a sophomore and we knew he was going to be special. I remember just watching him in practice in the summer and so forth and I said this kid is going to be making plays all over the place. Sure enough, he's had over 100 tackles each of the last three years. ... Great football player. He's just made plays everywhere and been instrumental in every win that we've had."

***What are Gamecocks getting in Brunson? Go inside the commitment!***

On top of his reputation as a stat-stuffer at linebacker, Brunson has also served as the team's punter and is a standout baseball player as well.

"He is an outstanding young man, tremendous character and a hard worker," Frye said "He's been a great leader for us, was a captain this year. He went to the Shrine Bowl, was an MVP there. He's just meant a lot of our program. We got back on this right track this year, as far as our program, and tied for the region. He's meant a lot for our program."

The one-time Louisville commitment took an official visit to South Carolina on the weekend of Jan. 15 and quickly announced a pledge to the Gamecocks on the following Monday.

Frye, who also played at South Carolina, believes Brunson has an opportunity to play early for the Gamecocks.

"I think he's really sound as far as his fundamentals," Frye said. "He does a really great job of reading offenses and is a very smart player. Ithink he'll adjust very quickly. He's going to have to go down this summer and of course get in that weight room and get a little bit bigger, get a little bit stronger, just like all of them have to do when they get down there. But I think he'll be as ready to play as a freshman as anybody that will report down there."

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