Football was never initially a part of Brandon Phelps’ life plans. OK, so technically it was, but it wasn’t American football.
It was fútbol.
The future Arizona wide receiver and 2024 commit didn’t play “football” until he was a freshman at American Leadership Academy in Gilbert.
“My dad always made me play soccer. I had always been a soccer kid. I played soccer for 14 years. I just never liked football and never enjoyed it until my dad made me play,” Phelps said. “He literally forced me to play and I just did not like it. Then I ended up seeing the talent God gave me and I started to be more content with playing football.
“Over the years, I’ve learned to love being with football and it’s definitely loved me back. Now I have the opportunity not a lot of people have to go play at the collegiate level and have my school paid for. My dreams and aspirations can be succeeded from playing football. It’s kind of crazy.”
Phelps unearthed his talents as a wide receiver prior to one of ALA’s playoff games in 2020, when he told one of the Eagles’ coaches about his alter ego, “Playoff Brandon.”
Three-star 2024 Gilbert wide receiver Brandon Phelps will sign with the Arizona Wildcats when the early signing period begins next Wednesday.
In a one-point loss to Snowflake in the Class 3A semifinals, Phelps had 10 catches for 105 yards as a freshman — and “Moss’d the crap out of this one guy,” he said (a reference to Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss). Phelps concluded his high school career as a state record-holder for most career receiving yards (4,475), touchdowns (60) and receptions (271).
“It flipped a mentality in me,” Phelps said. “Ever since I said ‘Playoff Brandon,’ every single year, I’ve played absolutely insane.
“It was all a mentality thing. Once I understood football better, I was like, ‘Man I love this sport.’ I always tell my dad, ‘I wish I played when I was little, because I would’ve understood it a little bit more instead of you just making me play.’“
The following summer, once Arizona’s new coaching staff under leader Jedd Fisch settled in Tucson, Phelps carried ALA to a championship at the UA’s annual 7-on-7 event.
“We were beating all of these 6A teams and we got to the championship and won the whole thing,” Phelps said. “I played really well. (Arizona wide receivers coach Kevin Cummings) was telling us congratulations and talking to our entire team, and he stood me up and said, ‘You have a scholarship here.’ I was like, ‘Wow, that’s crazy,’ because I didn’t know anything about that stuff.”
Since then, “I’ve been super close with them for about three years now,” Phelps said.
He called committing to Arizona was “a no-brainer” decision.
“The direction of the program, they’re going in the completely right direction. Two years ago, they went 1-11 and now they’re 9-3 about to beat Oklahoma in the bowl game,” he said. “You can’t ask for much more, you know? I’m glad they were loyal to me, stuck with me, and I’m glad that I stuck with them. I’ve been committed to them for about a year and I’ve had no regrets committing early or anything. I know that’s where I need to go to be successful.“
The 6-3, 190-pound Phelps, who will sign with Arizona during next week’s early signing period and join the team in the spring as an early enrollee, spoke with ESPN Tucson’s “Spears and Ali” about becoming a Wildcat, the UA’s in-state commits for 2024 and Arizona’s “winning state of mind.” Here’s what he said:
How do you see yourself fitting in at Arizona?
A: “Arizona’s receiving corps has a lot of talent and I feel like I have a lot of talent. Being behind someone as smart and witty as Coach Cummings is always great. I’m just excited to get there and learn. I’m just ready to take in what I haven’t learned and use it on the field.”
How is Cummings as a receivers coach?
A: “Technically I haven’t seen him from the coaching side. I’m sure there are things I haven’t seen. But as a person, he’s very great. He’s s great man, super funny, very personable and you can talk to him, it’s easy. I’m sure he’s great as a coach. As you can see, he coaches very well. I’m just excited to get down there and be coached by him.”
Three-star 2024 Gilbert wide receiver Brandon Phelps is confident playing time will come in due time when he's finally in Tucson. "Everyone talks about, 'Oh I want to play, I want to start and do all of this,' but I'm going there to learn the game of football. I want to take my time, learn the game, and the rest will pile on itself."
After visiting several times for practices and games, what are your impressions of the UA?
A: “I love the fact that the U of A is in a college town. All Tucson has is the U of A, so it’s the most hyped thing when you get there. I love going to the games because there’s so much energy around the school, and that’s kind of what I love the most about the U of A: everyone is bought into the program and now that they’re winning games, it just makes it 10 times better. We’re just going to keep winning games when this next class gets here. There’s nothing better than having everyone on your side and the energy in the stadium.“
There’s six in-state commits for Arizona in 2024, including three Ed Doherty Award finalists between yourself, four-star Chandler Basha quarterback Demond Williams and Glendale Apollo star running back Adam Mohammed; do you have a relationship with them?
A: “I’m super close with a lot of them. Me and Adam are always texting. A couple of guys I play Fortnite with them on X-Box. We just have fun and we’re already getting chemistry before we get there. This class is great. We’re a bunch of talented dudes that are about to show what we can do once we get there. We’re going to go there and just keep winning football games, which is the most important thing.”
Who do you play Fortnite with?
A: “(Scottsdale native and wide receiver) Dylan Tapley.”
What’s the strategy for you in Fortnite?
A: “With teamwork. We have good teamwork. We’re always catching wins.”
How long have you been playing Fortnite? Is that your favorite video game?
A: “One-hundred percent my favorite game. I’ve been playing Fortnite for years now. That’s the one game I play on my X-Box. ... They have new updates and everyone gets sad about it, but you just have to adapt to it. Just be better and don’t complain.”
What do you plan on studying at the UA?
A: “Criminal justice. I want to become a police officer if I don’t end up going to the (NFL).”
What made you choose that career path?
A: “I’m not even sure. Being a police officer would be super cool, serving others before yourself. That’s always been my mojo: serving others before yourself.”
How is it joining a program that’s no longer in the infancy stage of rebuilding the program?
A: “It’s very exciting because they’re already in a winning state of mind. Obviously that comes with good coaching, so I get to implement myself with great coaching, and that’s all I’ve been excited about. Everyone talks about, ‘Oh I want to play, I want to start and do all of this,’ but I’m going there to learn the game of football. I want to take my time, learn the game, and the rest will pile on itself.”
Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch says the Wildcats are "a very close-knit team with the coaches and players alike," which has been essential in the program's ascension. Video by Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star
