Nordstrom learning to fly with Owls

HOUSTON - The jump from high school football to college football has proven to be a big one for most players. The jump from a walk-on player to a reliable position player is a little more daunting of a task. Brian Nordstrom, a redshirt sophomore defensive end for the Rice Owls is just beginning to knock down the difficulty barrier and show what he is capable of, on and off the field.

Nordstrom graduated from The Woodlands High School in 2011 and was a two-sport star for the Highlanders in football and basketball. He was football first-team All-District 14-5A as a senior, although he missed most his senior year due to a knee injury. Brian earned two letters in football and was a three-year letterman in basketball. Nordstrom also helped lead the Highlanders to district championships in both football and basketball as a junior and senior. Brian earned Academic All-State honors in both football and basketball, while graduating third in his class at The Woodlands High School.

Just gaining admission into Rice University is an accomplishment in itself. Brian also became a Division I college football player, as a walk-on to the Owl football team in the fall of 2011. Although he redshirted his first year, Brian earned a spot on the Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll for having a GPA at 3.0 or above.

“When you first come to the team, it’s a big shock, especially with the academics. All my high-school coaches, everyone that I knew that played football and my brother (Matt), everyone told me that it was basically a job,” said Nordstrom.

The 2012 season proved to be an appetizer for Brian as he made his collegiate debut against Southern Miss and also seeing action against SMU. Making it onto the field was a lengthy process for Brian as he had not played in a football game since his junior year at The Woodlands in 2009. Continuing to put in numerous hours of practice time along with keeping up with Rice’s rigorous academics spurred Brian to continue to work hard and is beginning to pay off.

“I’ve put in a lot of time and effort on the field and in my studies, but it’s very rewarding,” said Nordstrom.

The adjustment period from high school football to college football was made a little easier for Brian knowing that he had already adjusted to a different style and speed of play before. Brian and his family moved to The Woodlands from Michigan, as he had to adjust to the difference in style and speed. Brian credits his high school coaches and playing in District 14-5A with helping him prepare for the speed of Division I college football.

“In middle school I grew up in Michigan, and the play up there is not quite what Texas football is and being through that process before, along with Coach Schmid and Coach Bear (Phil Murchison) helped me. Playing against a lot of good teams like Lufkin and College Park with fast players helped adjust to the speed of the game,” said Nordstrom.

Currently, Brian has played in all eight games of the 2013 season for Rice playing at defensive end and special teams. Brian recorded the first sack of his college career on October 19, at New Mexico State. Brian also has a pass break-up against UTSA, as well as a forced fumble. Rice is currently 6-2 overall and 4-0 in Conference USA play and is bowl eligible with four games remaining on the schedule.

“Coming from a winning tradition in The Woodlands, it’s nice to continue it in college and hopefully build a winning tradition here at Rice,” said Nordstrom. “I just want to help this team win a conference championship, bowl game, and all of its goals,” said Nordstrom.

Brian is majoring in Civil Engineering with a Business minor, and plans on breaking into Houston’s vast energy sector in oil and gas.