CALEDONIA, Mich. — Caledonia High School running back Brock Townsend is one of the best rushers to ever run the rock for the Fighting Scots.
On Wednesday, he signed up to do the same thing at Central Michigan.
"Definitely ready for the opportunity to go to the next level and prove my worth," Townsend said.
He's still trying to prove he is a better football player than his dad. Brock's father, Fred, also played football for Central Michigan back in 1991. Now, Brock wants to have a better career in all facets than his pops.
"It means a lot," Townsend said. "My goal in life, in everything I do, is to be one up on him. Try to be one ahead of him. I still have to get my doctorate degree and get that done so after I get that I can probably say I am a little bit better than him."
All jokes aside, Townsend's father has played a tremendous role in his upbringing on and off the field, whether it was watching film or just being there.
"He taught me all of the ins and outs of the game," Townsend said. He's had a big impact on my career, and I really appreciate him."
Despite the fact he is a legacy, Fred did not push Brock to sign with Central Michigan. He wanted his son to go to the best school for him. Brock says the Chippewas recruited him the most, and it also helps he has family in the Mount Pleasant area.
"I know a lot of people over there so it's going to be awesome going there," Townsend said.
The three-star recruit could have gone anywhere. He received offers from Western Michigan, Toledo and Ferris State where he could have played as a safety or a running back. However, running the ball was the most appealing option for him.
"I was open to anything," Townsend said. "Just to play D1 football I think is a major accomplishment. Running back has always been the dream though. Just to score touchdowns on that field, it's a feeling not a lot of people get to have."
He hopes scoring touchdowns can come early on in the fall at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Townsend will enroll early to get a jump start on those goals.
"I am just going to go out there and play the role that I take in, whatever that will be," Townsend said. "Getting to the campus early, learning their system, learning the ins and outs of the program and figure out what role I need to take on and trying to fulfill that the best I can."
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