In today’s crazy recruiting world, it seems upside down that 13-year-olds are being asked to commit while talented juniors worry that the chance to play at the collegiate level has passed them by.

That’s not true, obviously, as dozens of standout juniors and seniors are committing each month… check out our Master Verbal List each week for proof!

One of those late-blooming success stories is a Florida infielder who the last two years has been a FloSoftball All-American playing at one of the top schools in the Sunshine State, American Heritage High in Plantation.

However, despite her national success and trips to college camps and recruiting showcases, it was becoming worrisome that no one had offered… but that all changed this year.

Suddenly, offers started coming in and, in this first person account, you’ll hear how the process worked out in the best way possible thanks in large part to a club coach who saw the great potential in her…

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My name is Brooke Langston. I play middle infield for the Jersey Intensity 18U – KOD Premier Team with Coach Kevin O’Donnell.

I am a junior this year and verbally committed recently to play D1 college softball in Knoxville, at the University of Tennessee.
 

I met Coach Kevin O’Donnell from Jersey Intensity, in the fall of 2014. I officially joined his organization in the fall of 2015. The first day I played for Intensity while at a tournament in Indiana, Coach Kevin said to me, “I can’t believe you’re not committed yet, this is going to be easy.”

At that moment, I felt my confidence soar and I knew I would find a fit at a quality D1 program.
 
From the first day I met Coach Kevin, he believed in me and my ability and I felt like my recruitment was a priority to him. From the beginning, he made several phone calls and never placed limitations on where he felt I could compete at the next level.

After a very competitive 2015 fall season with Intensity, I had some strong interest from several top D1 programs. It wasn’t long before I was trying to decide which dynamic program I would have the privilege of playing for during my collegiate career.

My softball goals have always been big: compete in a College World Series, play for the Olympic Softball Team, and represent Team USA on the world softball stage.

After a very successful 2015 fall season, I was invited to and attended a camp at the University of Tennessee. It was then that I started to visualize myself studying, living and playing softball in Knoxville. I loved the atmosphere, the school spirit and how the coaching staff and players made me feel like part of the team.

I really felt wanted.

I realized then, that with hard work, dreams do come true and that this is where I want to be to continue my academic and athletic career. A place where I can help contribute to a winning softball tradition.  

I am thrilled to announce that I have verbally committed to play D1 college softball at the University of Tennessee!

I look forward to playing a super competitive 2016 summer with Coach Kevin and my teammates from Intensity. We will be playing in tournaments like Boulder, DeMarini, PGF Nationals and Team NJ against the best of the best.

I am so grateful and blessed to play for Coach Kevin O’Donnell. Without his support, I would not be a future, Tennessee Volunteer. When the 2018 college softball season opens, I will be wearing the orange and white, loud and proud.    

#Knoxville Bound   #NeverGiveUp   #Dontbegoodbegreat…
 
Sincerely
Brooke Langston
GO LADY VOLS!!!



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