The 2010 LSU football recruiting class was full of talented, big name athletes who could star for the Tigers one day. But one name often overlooked is Parkview Baptist School kicker Brad Wing.Wing’s journey into college football was not that of a typical high school student. Wing grew up in Melbourne, Australia, playing Australian football since he was 5 years old.He and his family arrived in Baton Rouge in June, wanting to get a taste of life as Americans.”My family and I spoke about it, and we had some friends in Louisiana,” Wing said. “We thought it would be a good experience for me to see American high school.”Wing said he had the thought of playing high school football given his kicking background, but never gave it major thought.”I’ve always kicked, so I thought I’d try it out,” Wing said. “I thought it would be fun to do, and the team was really good.”He never realized the potential he had until he stepped onto the field. His friends and family encouraged him to go out for the football team, and he shined once he did.Wing averaged more than 40 yards per punt for Parkview last season and is ranked as the No. 5 kicker in the nation for 2010 according to Rivals.com. He is one of only 11 kickers for the 2010 class to earn three stars, a task Rivals.com recruiting analyst Mike Scarborough said is not easy.”Three stars for a punter or a kicker on Rivals is pretty darn good,” Scarborough said.Scarborough also said he sees Wing being extremely productive throughout his years at LSU.”When I look at LSU’s recruiting class and start talking about guys that will make the biggest impact in their careers at LSU, I have him way up the list,” Scarborough said. “I really believe that as he progresses and gets better, I think by the time he’s done at LSU, he’ll be an All-SEC [Southeastern Conference] punter,” Scarborough said.Wing said his father, David, a former NFL punter for the Detroit Lions, has encouraged and mentored him throughout his kicking career.”He always helped me with my technique and stuff like that,” Wing said. “I think that’s where I get most of it from, is through his genes.”Wing helped lead Parkview to a 12-2 record in 2009, including an appearance in the 3A state championship game in the Louisiana Superdome.He said he had never thought of playing college football and was shocked when he was recruited by big schools.”I never thought of anything like that,” Wing said. “Once it came up — even with the first letter and phone call — it was just unbelievable … It was crazy.”He said he never realized how big college football was in America, especially in Louisiana. He said the only word to describe it was “overwhelming.””That’s the only word I can say,” he said. “I didn’t realize how big of a deal it was. All my teammates would tell me how great it is, and I was overwhelmed by it all.”Wing said the great coaches along with the crazy atmosphere Tiger fans bring to the stadium drew him to LSU.”I’ve seen the games at LSU and Tiger Stadium … The football is crazy,” Wing said. “The fans and the environment is what I want to be around for the next four years. It seems like a real good place. The atmosphere is great on Saturdays. I’m just so excited for it.”
 
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