Ever since he was a freshman at Greenbrier East High School, Bryson Ormsbee was accustomed to being on the football field, not only dressed for the varsity team, but also starting and playing a lot of snaps. He won the McDonald’s player of the game award in his first career game.
Ormsbee got to experience what not a lot of ninth graders do not because of his talent and willingness to work hard. That hard work translated to the field as Ormsbee gradually got better every year. As a junior in 2020, he racked up 27 tackles and locked receivers down on his side of the field. As a senior this past year, he played more on both sides of the ball and finished eighth on the team with 35 tackles, one interception and a fumble recovery. On offense, he led the team in receiving with 29 catches, 315 yards and five touchdowns.
Even though Ormsbee, also a wrestler, grew into a star as his career went on his best memories as a Spartan come from his first two seasons in the green and gold.
“My best memories were definitely during my freshman and sophomore year playing with the upperclassmen and getting the high school football experience. My favorite memory was definitely just being in the locker room with the older guys,” Ormsbee said.
However, Ormsbee recognizes that he matured a lot during his time with the team. And that maturity will help him with his life decisions down the road.
“I grew as a player a lot, gaining experience and eventually being a leader on the field, but as a person it made me realize that you can do anything, and having that experience you have to be a role model to the younger kids,” Ormsbee stated.
With East football consuming most of his free time in the fall with workouts, practices and weight training, Ormsbee is still staying busy in one of those areas while sorting out his college football choices, which he plans to do.
“I have stayed busy just by working out and preparing to go to college.”
“I do plan to play college ball. I’m still in the early stages of the recruiting process, but I’m interested in Southern Virginia and Alderson Broaddus. Both of these schools are very good in academics and close to home,” Ormsbee said.
Head coach Ray Lee admired Ormsbee’s desire to be the best he could be.
“His ambition to become a college student-athlete and the approach he takes to achieve that goal is awesome to watch, Lee said earlier this year.
Even with Ormsbee focused squarely on his future, it is tough for him to not take a glance in his personal rear view mirror every now and then.
“I’m definitely going to miss the off-season workouts and just grinding with the guys towards our goal,” stated Ormsbee.
When asked where he saw himself in about five years, Ormsbee answered quickly and precisely with the plans he had for himself.
“I hope to be graduated from college and starting my job in physical therapy,” Ormsbee concluded.
“He is a true example of a student-athlete,” Lee echoed.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.