The Nolan Ryan Junior High student is a rising star in football, basketball, and track & field, and he’s already earned his first college football offer.
Does the name sound familiar?
Back in 2004, Brandon “JoJo” LaFell starred at Lamar High School in HISD, excelling in—yes—football, basketball, and track. BJ’s father went on to play football at LSU, where he earned first-team All-SEC honors and won a BCS National Championship with the Tigers. A third-round draft pick by the Carolina Panthers, Brandon LaFell played nine seasons in the NFL and won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots, famously catching the game-winning touchdown against the Ravens.
“I remember being on the field after the Super Bowl, playing in all the confetti,” BJ laughed. “I still look back at that video that went viral of me sitting on my dad’s lap, playing with the microphone in the press conference room after the game.”
Fast forward a decade, and now it’s BJ LaFell who’s on the verge of becoming the next big thing in Houston sports.
“My dad is super involved and plays a major role in my success,” he said. “He’s already done all of this. He’s seen everything. He’s been through the recruiting process. He’s able to tell me step-by-step how to handle situations, and that’s huge to lean on.”
"His athleticism is what really reminds me of me," Dad said. "You see him on the field or the court and your thinking, this kid is dog, but off the court he is very quiet and reserve. He reminds me of former Texan Andre Johnson... the are the nicest people but when they flip that switch, it's flipped.
"He has such a competitive nature and wants to dominate and master everything he does. He has an edge to him that sets him apart. His leadership skills are also unmatched."
BJ plans to enroll at Shadow Creek High School, where he has big goals. His future football coach, Tyrone Green, was on staff at Lamar when his father played for the Redskins (now the Texans).
“My goals are to win a football, basketball, and track state championship, graduate, and earn a Division I scholarship,” he said. “I think I’ll stay with my class in football, but I feel like I can be on varsity in basketball and track. We’ll see.”
LaFell has dominated the junior high level and shines on the 7-on-7 football and AAU basketball circuits.
“Football helps me in basketball by making me more physical, especially finishing at the rim against bigger, stronger guys,” he said. “Basketball helps me in football with change of direction, endurance, and speed.”
On the football field, LaFell plays with the poise of someone well beyond his years.
“I love playing quarterback because I’m a really positive guy, take accountability, and am very coachable,” he said. “That’s just my personality.
“These spring 7-on-7 tournaments helped me get ready for high school—just the reps, learning to read defenses pre-snap, and throwing guys open. There’s so much to learn about reading coverages.”
With all that’s on his plate at such a young age, how does this soon-to-be ninth grader unwind?
“I like watching film on some of my favorites—Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, Tank Dell, and Jahmyr Gibbs,” he said. “I’m always going to take any opportunity to train, hang out with my friends, play 2K and Madden, watch movies, and go roller skating. I’m pretty good at skating.
“I’m just a regular teenager...”
Ehh, not really.
