‘You wouldn’t know he was new’: How Braylen Bedford has added versatility to Brentwood Academy’s roster
0
0
Braylen Bedford has made a career out of doing a little bit of everything on the football field. Now, the four-star Ole Miss commit is bringing that versatility to Brentwood Academy while adjusting to a new school, a new team, and a different level of competition.
A member of the Class of 2028, Bedford transferred from Mississippi’s Vardaman High School, where he established himself as a playmaker on both sides of the ball. He’s primarily played safety at Brentwood Academy as he continues preparing for the next level.
It seems that Bedford’s adjustment has been nearly seamless.
“Braylen’s done a great job,” Brentwood Academy head coach Paul Wade said. “You wouldn’t know that he hasn’t been a Brentwood Academy Eagle through his entire high school career.”
The transition has brought Bedford a different challenge for Bedford, as he’s adapting to a new program with an established roster of talent. But the change is also providing him an opportunity to compete against higher-level competition and development ahead of his college career.
“It’s really a different level of competition,” Bedford said. “They are getting me ready for college, so it’s a great move.”
Wade said Bedford’s athletic ability has helped him adjust, but he also emphasized the importance of the person behind the player.
“He’s a great kid, great parents, raised right,” Wade said. “Anytime you have a kid move into a school like this, it’s a hard adjustment. It’s just as hard for us.”
Bedford said finding his place in the locker room has been an important part of the process. He credited fellow 4-star Kesean Bowman and his teammates for making him feel welcome as he settled into the program.
“Keebo (Bowman) and really all of them have been welcoming to me,” Bedford said.
That welcoming environment has helped Bedford embrace the move, but his ability to contribute in multiple areas remains a defining part of his game.
As a freshman at Vardaman in 2024, Bedford surpassed 1,200 all-purpose yards while playing on offense, defense and special teams. He caught 23 passes for 523 yards and six touchdowns, rushed for 283 yards and five touchdowns, and returned two punts for scores.
Defensively, he recorded 67 tackles, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He also returned an interception 90 yards for a touchdown and blocked a field goal.
In nine games in 2025, he rushed for 689 yards and eight touchdowns on 89 carries, averaging 7.7 yards per attempt. He also completed 19 of 41 passes for 335 yards and three touchdowns while recording 69 tackles, an interception, a pass breakup and three forced fumbles.
WEEK 8 PHOTO GALLERY: Brentwood Academy 42, Briarcrest 7
His experience at quarterback, running back, receiver and safety has given him a unique background, even as his role at Brentwood Academy has shifted.
With talent throughout the roster, Wade noted that Bedford may not need to play as many positions as he did at his previous school.
“We have such talent everywhere,” Wade said. “He’s probably not got to play everywhere like he did at his previous school.”
For Bedford, the move is about more than finding a role on a new team. It is also part of preparing for the next chapter of his football career at Ole Miss, where he has already made his college commitment.
When asked why he chose the Rebels, Bedford pointed to the feeling he had when making his decision.
“I feel like it was home, it was the right place for me, I felt like it was the right time for me,” Bedford said. “Go Mississippi.”
That feeling of belonging is something Bedford said he has found at Brentwood Academy as well.
“I love it,” Bedford said. “They hug me in good, they treat me right. This is the right place for me.”
