Student earns camp's high honor

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Thirteen-year-old Brandon Luckett didn’t get quite the reception he envisioned the first time he streaked into the end zone.

In fact, his touchdown didn’t even hold up.

Luckett was 11 years old at the time; and after celebrating what he thought was the first touchdown of his young career, Luckett spotted the yellow flag on the grass. As it turned out, one of the wide receiver’s East Manatee Bulldogs teammates was called for an illegal block in the back — negating Luckett’s touchdown.

Luckett eventually found the end zone again later in the drive, but he’ll never forget the first time he crossed the goal line. In the two years since his first touchdown catch, the Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch seventh-grader has excelled on the football field.

And this past spring, Luckett was recognized for his efforts on the field when he was named the MVP of Football University’s football camps in both March and April.

“I was excited,” Luckett said of the honor. “It means that my skill level is kind of higher than the people around me. It’s an honor to have it twice.

“The first one meant more (though) because there was more competition there,” Luckett said. “I was going against previous Top Gun winners.”
Luckett participated in his first Football University camp in March in Kissimmee and then was invited to participate in a second camp in April in Weston. Throughout the camps, Luckett worked on positional drills, technique and fundamentals. He also competed against other people in his age group in games of seven on seven.
“The biggest thing I learned was technique,” Luckett said. “I learned how to come off of the ball and how to get open as a wide receiver.”

As a result of his MVP performances, Luckett was one of 90 players in sixth through 12th grade from across the country selected to participate in Football University’s Top Gun camp July 21-23 in Williamsburg, Va.

“I’m looking forward to competing against players with the same skill level as me; and I’m looking forward to meeting new people and learning new things.”

Luckett began playing football when he was 11 years old.

“I always liked watching football on TV, so I decided to try it out and I liked it,” Luckett said. “I like being out there with the team.”

Luckett spent a year playing for the Bulldogs before transferring over to the Manatee Mustangs. Luckett plays wide receiver and safety for the Mustangs, but he admits he’s more comfortable playing wide receiver.

“I think I’m just gifted at that position more,” Luckett said.

Following the Top Gun camp, Luckett will return to the Manatee Mustangs sideline. Eventually, Luckett hopes to play collegiate football. And, if he’s lucky enough, in the NFL.

“I just need to stay on the right track, stay focused and get good grades,” Luckett said. “I need to (continue) to work hard on and off of the field.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].