Bryce Battle is one of the best players from the Tampa, FL area in the Class of 2023.
The 5-foot-7, 130-pound Battle, who attends Pasco Middle Cambridge Programme, is a dynamic wide receiver.
Battle played for the South Pasco Predators Pop Warner team in the fall and Unsigned Preps Battle of the Battle 7v7 Competitive League in the spring.
Battle has earned plenty of awards and recognition during his career, such as being a Pop Warner Scholastic Academic All-American.
Battle is humbled by the honor.
“It means a lot to me because I take my grades serious. I love school and being a great student-athlete,” Battle said. “It was a great honor to attend the the All-American Scholastic banquet and to be recognized for my hard work.”
No matter the opponent, on each snap Battle is determined to give it his all.
Battle is going all out.
The motor is always at full throttle whenever Battle steps between the lines.
“My mindset is to beat my opponent and not drop any balls,” Battle said. “I just want to compete every play and make it tough on my opponent.”
Battle has great passion and energy whenever he’s on the gridiron. Battle tells why he enjoys the game of football so much.
“I love catching passes and scoring touchdowns. Especially, making the tough catches,” Battle said.
Battle has learned many valuable lessons from playing football that he applies to his everyday life.
The main one is applying perspective to all situations.
“My dad has always been my coach and tells me to be a good kid, give 100% at all times and do good in school,” Battle said.
Battle recalls his favorite football memory.
“My favorite memory of playing football is my team being 2016 Pop Warner FYD League Champions,” Battle said. “We had a very tough schedule that season and beat some very good teams.”
JJ Battle has been coaching his son throughout his football career.
Mr. Battle explains the best parts of his son’s game.
“He plays primarily wide receiver. As a wide receiver he has great hands. Drops are rare for him. He’s been catching balls since a baby. As a defensive back he does well tracking the ball,” Mr. Battle said. “As a wide receiver he’s been working with Tyrone Timmons, Unsigned Preps 7v7 WR coach and Mississippi Valley State Hall of Fame wide receiver over the past few years and is learning new techniques as much as possible. The things he’s learning from Coach Timmons is amazing. Especially, his foot fire off the line of scrimmage. As a DB he has learned a lot from Unsigned Preps DB coach Kenneth Watson over the past couple of years and will be also training with Unsigned Preps DB coach Dub Williams who has trained several high school, college and NFL defensive backs.”
Battle takes his role as one of the leaders on the team very seriously. Battle makes sure he’s a daily positive influence on his peers.
“I try my best to be a good teammate by supporting and encouraging my teammates. Football is a team sport. So, I need them as much as they need me to be successful,” Battle said. “Best advice I’ve given to a teammate is to “not be scared.” Because if you’re scared you’re not gonna be able to play hard with confidence.”
Mr. Battle adds that his son is one of those consummate teammates that every locker room needs to be successful.
“He leads by example,” Mr. Battle said. “He competes, likes being the best at what he does and learning to lead by training with older and more experienced football players.”
Battle is appreciative of having amazing male role models that are supportive.
“I’ve learned that I have to practice and work on my skill set when nobody is watching if I want to get better. My coaches encourages me to be a good kid and treat people the way I want to be treated,” Battle said. “My dad has always been my coach and tells me to be a good kid, give 100 percent at all times and do good in school.”
Mr. Battle recalls examples of his son’s capabilities.
“High pointing a ball in the end zone and out jumping a DB for a touchdown, as well as, making a key block leading his running back for a touchdown,” Mr. Battle said. “I’ve seen him take some gruesome hits and get back up like it was nothing and continued to play. He’s a tough kid.”
In addition to making clutch plays, Battle also has a high level of football IQ as well.
Battle has excellent football awareness that puts him in position to thrive.
“He has a very high IQ as a youth wide receiver,” Mr. Battle said. “I’ve seen him turn a 9 route into a fade route to gain separation on the DB and make the catch, as well as, reroute his route to stay open while his QB was scrabbling.”
Battle is on the grind to perfect and hone his craft.
“He works really hard when nobody is watching to get better. He does wide receiver personal training with Tyrone Timmons frequently to get better and practices with the Unsigned Preps HS 7v7 team to get better,” Mr. Battle said. “He will also join ex-Tampa Bay Buccaneers and football legends Yo Murphy and Reidel Anthony at ASPI aka the Compound this summer in the weight room and for field work to prepare him for his 8th grade middle school football season next year.”
Mr. Battle explains why his son reminds him of these playmaker.
“I compare him to Anquan Boldin and Jerry Rice. He’s definitely light years from being that great and I don’t believe in any kid being that good at this age level,” Mr. Battle said. “However, I compare him to those two because they were big wide receivers, with great hands and didn’t have burner speed but IQ and heart to be successful. Bryce isn’t a burner, but is big for his age, has great hands and finds a way to get open.”
Meanwhile, Battle patterns his style of play after this wide receiver.
“Dez Bryant because he’s big, physical and plays with passion,” Battle said.
Battle is constantly striving for greatness in everything that he does.
“I want to play college football and/or soccer. Because I also play competitive soccer and I’m not sure yet which sport I like the best,” Battle said. “I want to graduate from college and make a lot of money.”
Battle dreams of one day attending Harvard University.
“Because I want a high quality education,” Battle said.
Battle lists civics as his favorite subject in school.
“Because we learn about law,” Battle said. “I want to be a Federal Agent or CIA after college.”
Mr. Battle outlines the next areas of improvement for his son.
“Improving his speed and route running,” Mr. Battle said. “He is working on those aspects of his game by working with Tyrone Timmons, Reidel Anthony and Yo Murphy.”
Mr. Battle believes the sky is the limit as long as his son continues to stay hungry.
“His potential is unlimited because he’s an honor student first and football player second. I tell him frequently that football will end some day. Whether it be high school, college or pro it will end some day,” Mr. Battle said. “So, continue to be a great student and a good kid to open doors for you outside of football. Also, starting next year playing for Unsigned Preps 7v7 15U Team and then their 18U team in High School will only make him more competitive and bring out that dog in him for his future high school team.”
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