SANDUSKY, Ohio — Everything's better in twos.
That's how a pair of Perkins High School football teammates are viewing June 7. Seniors Braylon Collier and Mikey Young chose to establish their futures on social media just an hour apart from each other.
"Even making it D-I is something we talked about our freshman year," Collier said. "To see it come to light is something special and amazing."
Sharing in the special moment actually came unexpected but turned into a powerful pairing.
"For me, I didn't even know he was committing. I was set on Harvard and initially had a date later but decided to move it up," Young said. "Come to find out when I moved it up, I see on Twitter June 7 and I'm like, 'He's committing.' I'm blessed to go through this journey with him."
Young, a three-star rated linebacker, chose Harvard among his 20 offers that included Toledo and Bowling Green. Ultimately his decision landed on a future outside of football with the help of a 4.22 GPA.
"I wanted to go to a place that would set me up for the rest of my life and my family," Young said. "We've never had too much and I want to be successful. Definitely want to get into business and finance."
His classmate took on Big Ten interest, with Michigan State and Iowa clamoring for the skillset of Collier. 15 Division I offers he possessed that also included Iowa State, Bowling Green and Toledo.
Ultimately, Collier's final three came down to the biggest schools with East Lansing winning his heart following a campus visit on the first weekend of June.
"To be honest, I didn't see myself going to Michigan State at first but coach Courtney Hawkins is a guy I trust to get me where I want to go," Collier said. "I want to play in the NFL, make plan-A work."
As for their final chapters in high school, both will be leaned upon to lead the Pirates in 2024. Collier capped his junior season with second-team All-Ohio honors as a wide receiver with 80 receptions, 1164 yards & 18 touchdowns. Young is also an All-State talent (Honorable Mention) following a tally of 95 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
Perkins is coming off a historic 12-1 campaign last year, advancing to the Division IV Regional Final before falling to eventual state champion Glenville, 36-26. The reigning Sandusky Bay Conference Lake Division champions will seek double-digit wins for the third consecutive season.
"Best coaching staff in Ohio, they're young but have it figured out," Collier said. "They've turned this program around and it's exciting."
The Pirates will host Clear Fork on Aug. 23 to open up their 2024 schedule.