The Connection: Brady and I both used to train with private quarterback coach Steve Clarkson.
Quote of the Episode: “The thing I miss most about playing is just the fact that you're in it. As a coach, you're in it, but as a player, you have basically complete control of what goes down when the ball is kicked off. Especially as a quarterback, the ball is in your hand.”
Bet You Didn’t Know: Brady had never been to the state of Tennessee (let alone visited the campus) when he committed to transfer to Memphis from Arizona State.
In episode 5 of Under the Number, I spoke with Brady White. Brady is a former 4-star recruit who played quarterback for Arizona State and Memphis and is currently member of the Arizona State coaching staff. From his early days training with the renowned Steve Clarkson to his record-setting career at Memphis, Brady takes us inside his remarkable football journey.
Growing up in Southern California, Brady knew from a young age that he wanted to pursue football at the highest level. "I always knew that was my dream and my goal, even as a kid," he reflects. Working with elite quarterback coach Steve Clarkson, Brady found himself surrounded by future stars. "If you're intentionally around people that aren't pushing you, I don't think that helps you."
Brady also pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes world of college recruiting, discussing the pressure of the Elite 11 competition and the challenge of navigating "uncommittable offers." He shares what ultimately drew him to Arizona State: "They were playing at the highest level, the weather's beautiful, and I had great relationships with the coaching staff."
But Brady's path took an unexpected turn when a severe foot injury sidelined him for over a year. "It was really unfortunate," he recalls. "My doctor told me he only sees an injury like mine maybe once a decade." Despite the setback, Brady leaned on his faith and emerged stronger. "I never was negative or down on myself. I embraced what it was."
That resilience paid off when Brady transferred to Memphis, where he would go on to shatter school records and lead the Tigers to unprecedented heights. "The entire 2019 season was special," he reflects.
"We broke records, won the conference, and played in the Cotton Bowl. But the biggest growth was getting to know my teammates off the field."
Now back at Arizona State as a wide receivers coach, Brady is excited to impact the next generation. "As a player, you're the man in the arena. But as a coach, you get to prepare them for those moments. You're molding their lives."
Tune in for a fascinating conversation with a leader to understand why Brady was the William V. Campbell trophy (a.k.a. the “Academic Heisman”) winner. The award goes to the player that demonstrates the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance. Like, subscribe, and catch every episode of Under the Number wherever you listen to podcasts!
