By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – When Brayden Baker reported for Bedford North Lawrence football as a freshman, he wasn’t among the biggest, fastest or strongest. But he was among the smartest, a math kid who could calculate the numbers. He quickly figured out what he needed to do – get to work.
Four years later, Baker was rewarded when he finished the paperwork to play for Franklin College. Baker, a two-year impact starter for the Stars at outside linebacker, officially signed with the Grizzlies on Wednesday afternoon.
Baker plans to major in actuarial science. If that term is unfamiliar, it’s the “discipline that applies mathematical and statistical methods to the systematic observation of natural events, to assess the risk of events occurring, and help formulate policies that minimize this risk and its financial impact on companies and clients.” When insurance rates rise, they are the reason, having used statistics to foretell future payouts.
The stats were not in Baker’s favor when he started. He even played quarterback on the junior varsity as a sophomore. He’s the poster boy for tenacity.
“If you had asked me two years ago, if I had been able to play after high school, I would have not even thought about it,” Baker said. “I love the game, and that propelled me to be able to do this. I’m very thankful I get to keep playing.
“There were some times I was a little discouraged, changing positions and getting hurt. But I knew I would stick it out. I had to make my senior year count. I knew it was possible. It’s always been a dream.”
He earned it, by devoting countless hours in the weight room, by dedicating his time to reach a goal.
“He’s the best example I’ve seen in hard work and sticking to it,” BNL coach Derrick Barker said. “When he came in as a freshman, he did everything that was asked, but he wasn’t the biggest, wasn’t the fastest, wasn’t the strongest. I’m sure he had some rough days, didn’t get that instant gratification. But he stuck with it.”
Baker’s senior vision was fulfilled when he was named All-Hoosier Hills Conference, totaling 75 tackles (including 8 for loss) as the Stars went 7-4.
“He’s been one of our more reliable defensive players, a kid who worked his tail off and became a great player and great leader,” Barker said. “He’s a physical tone setter. He’s never afraid of hard work, never afraid of a challenge.”
Baker chose Franklin as the best option for his intended major, as the best fit with its feel-good atmosphere under head coach Alan Hensell. The Grizzlies went 4-6 last season while competing in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.
