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Bruton eager for pro’s life

He will make complete transition from wiry Miamisburg freshman to NFL draft pick.

David Bruton, a senior safety for Notre Dame, comes home to the Miamisburg weight room to workout while waiting to hear of his fate as a NFL draft pick.

Underwood, Jan David Bruton, a senior safety for Notre Dame, comes home to the Miamisburg weight room to workout while waiting to hear of his fate as a NFL draft pick.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Jan Underwood David Bruton, a senior safety for Notre Dame, comes home to the Miamisburg weight room to workout while waiting to hear of his fate as a NFL draft pick.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Bruton ready for NFL career

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By Chick Ludwig, Staff Writer Updated 11:16 AM Sunday, April 19, 2009

MIAMISBURG — David Bruton ducked into the weight room just off the gymnasium floor at Miamisburg High School, took a look around and laughed.

“I remember the first time I came in here,” he said. “I couldn’t even lift that (45-pound) bar. It was ugly.”

Now everything’s beautiful.

From an awkward Miamisburg freshman to an elegant Notre Dame senior, Bruton has come a long way on his journey to the National Football League.

The 6-foot-2, 219-pound Fighting Irish free safety — who generated 91 tackles, four interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2008 — is poised to become the first Miamisburg Viking drafted into the NFL.

Listen for his name when the NFL draft unfolds at Radio City Music Hall in New York, Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26.

“I’m getting a little anxious,” he said.

To the rescue

Bruton was a 5-foot-8 weakling in 2001. Wiry, a little clumsy and frustrated. He didn’t start and barely played. He wanted to quit, but classmate Kelly Lewis — the son of Miamisburg coach Tim Lewis — wouldn’t let him.

“After freshman season, I wasn’t going to play football anymore,” Bruton said. “Kelly talked me into coming back out. He said, ‘It’s your first year. It’s not the end of the world. You’re a good player. You’ll get a chance.’ He built my confidence up.”

And it kept going up.

“It was the West Carrollton game his junior year,” Coach Lewis said. “I was very frustrated, and David just happened to be close. I just remember going off and saying, ‘When are you going to do something?’

“He went out in the second half and just exploded. He took the game over. After that, he never went backwards.”

Golden Domer

Bruton considered attending Wisconsin after Notre Dame fired head coach Tyrone Willingham on Nov. 30, 2004 — Bruton’s senior year at Miamisburg. But the lore and the lure of Notre Dame was too strong, and he gravitated to new coach Charlie Weis.

“It just felt like the right place for me,” Bruton said. “My parents (David Sr. and Constance) loved Notre Dame and it was a lot closer to home than Wisconsin.”

And a lot closer to his son, Jaden, 3, who was born in November 2005 during Bruton’s freshman season in South Bend, Ind.

Bruton’s highlight reel of memories in uniform number 27 for ND’s blue and gold includes a late interception in regulation against Pitt, a forced fumble and recovery in the end zone against San Diego State and a forced fumble and INT against Michigan.

But nothing can touch the birth of his son.

“He’s my motivation,” Bruton said.

How did he balance the pressures of fatherhood, class work and major college football?

“Help from a lot of people,” said Bruton, one of three Irish captains in ’08. “Help from my parents, coaches, teammates, friends ... (Jaden’s) mother has been understanding and helpful as well. The supporting cast around me has just been great.”

Whirlwind tour

NFLDraftScout.com calls Bruton a playmaker “with the size, speed and athleticism to potentially be a good starter and very good special teams player.”

A free safety is the last line of defense.

“There’s the potential every play that the band will strike up against you,” Bruton said. “You can’t be scared. You’re going to get beat. It’s just a matter of how many times you can eliminate getting beat.”

“He’s always thinking about how he’s going to make the next play,” Notre Dame defensive coordinator Corwin Brown said. “He never backs down from a challenge.”

Bruton’s life has been a challenge since Notre Dame’s 49-21 bowl victory over Hawaii on Dec. 24.

He hired agent David Dunn of Newport Beach, Calif., and trained in Southern California from Jan. 4 to March 19. In between, Bruton participated in the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, where he showed off his 4.46 speed, 41.5-inch vertical leap and 11-foot broad jump.

“Now you’re talking about a guy who could get into the bottom of the second round,” Weis said, “because the arrow with everybody with him is pointing up.”

The Denver Broncos and New York Jets flew Bruton in for pre-draft visits. He graduates from Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology on May 17. But first, the draft.

“Just the opportunity to play in the NFL is a blessing in itself,” Bruton said. “Getting drafted is just one step. It’s another foot in the door. It’s your time to seize the opportunity that’s been given to you.”

Contact this reporter at  (937) 225-2253 or  cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.

5 questions with David Bruton

Top three challenges of fatherhood: “The first time changing a diaper. That was a tough one, but a great experience. Sleep ... trying to get sleep. And just supporting my son’s every possible need.”

First thing you’ll buy with bonus money: “I was thinking about an Audi A6. It’s a low-key luxury car. I’m not going to indulge in a Mercedes or anything like that. An Audi will suit me just fine. But I have to admit: A Range Rover Supercharge, all black, is my dream car.”

Favorite way to relax: “Going to the movies. My favorite is ‘Men of Honor’ (2000) with Cuba Gooding Jr. It just shows his triumph over adversity. He’s able to succeed and do great things.”

If you couldn’t play football: “I’d go to law school and become involved in family law or social work.”

The tattoo on your upper right arm reads ... “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.”

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SC -
Football players at ND have to take summer school, so he probably had enough credits to graduate in 3 1/2 years, so that's probably where he got the time to go to CA.

Joe
10:09 AM, 4/24/2009

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Too bad Miamisburg and West Carrollton football fell apart. Miamisburg was pretty good at the turn of the century. They had a good run of players. Mark Hall to Dustin Williams to Matt Muncy to Calvin Bell to David Bruton to Cody Blevins... Now not so much. At WC we had a decent year when we made the playoffs but we still lost to Miamisburg. It has been over 10 years since the Pirates have beaten the Vikings...

WC Mike
1:53 PM, 4/20/2009

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If he trained in Southern California from Jan 4 thru March 19, how can he be graduating in May with a duel degree. My Senior year in college I had classes almost everyday.

SC
7:06 AM, 4/20/2009

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Very positive story. Good luck Mr. Bruton with an NFL career & many congratulations on your academic success !

JS
12:03 PM, 4/19/2009

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