Wynn Brazil has never shied away from a challenge, channeling his competitiveness towards whatever sport he happened to be trying or navigating whatever life challenge that came his way.
After multiple surgeries, sports and a countless number of reps in the weight room and on the gridiron, the Turlock High School senior has found his next home. Last month at the Bonsu Elite Athletics training facility in Ceres, the standout tight end signed his National Letter of Intent to continue his football and educational career at Valparaiso University in Indiana.
“Being given the opportunity to play Division I college football at Valparaiso University is not only a blessing but a dream come true,” Brazil said.
Valparaiso, better known as simply “Valpo,” is an FCS program competing in the Pioneer Football League. Brazil had received eight other offers from Division II, III and NAIA programs after turning heads at a camp at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, in 2024.
“I just wanted to get as much film out there as I could because I really didn’t have any at that point,” he explained. “It was amazing to play and score a touchdown in the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium in front of my family. That started the ball rolling for me with college recruits. I also hit camps all summer my junior year. They were very humbling and yet they inspired me on just how hard I had to work.”
Brazil followed it up by being a key member of the Bulldog offense this past season, epitomizing physicality when it came to blocking and earning All-Central California Athletic League First Team honors.
“He’d always find himself in big situations for us and came through for us a lot,” said Turlock High football head coach Peterson said. “He is a guy who just itches at the bit to go out and contribute for the team. Great work ethic and a great person.”
In January, Brazil was invited to visit Valparaiso University with his family, “and this one just felt different. The coaches, the campus and the entire atmosphere just felt right.” The Beacons offered on Jan. 25, and three weeks later, Brazil verbally committed.
It’s an accomplishment that seemed improbable just five years ago when Brazil found himself hospitalized and needing to undergo four surgeries after a dirt bike accident in the eighth grade. At that time, Brazil was in Hilmar and had a large affinity for water polo. In fact, he played in the Junior Olympics of Water Polo with Central Valley United.
“I wanted a change,” Brazil said. And also an opportunity to continue competing in the pool with familiar faces.
“I am most proud of overcoming the challenge of moving from a smaller school like Hilmar where everyone knows each other to one the biggest school in our area,” he said.
It was at Turlock High that he continued to push the envelope and compete in water polo and his new favorite sport, football in the same fall season thanks to support and flexibility from aquatics coaches Nic Serratos and Zach Glidden and football skipper James Peterson. In the winter, he hit the hardwood, though he had to mentally and emotionally grasp with limited playing time. The spring brought the track and field season.
“All of which pushed me towards my goal of playing college football,” Brazil said. “To be able to play the sport I love in college has always been the goal… But the work is not done and I still have a long way to go and a lot to learn as an athlete and a student. I have an incredible support system of friends and family, but truly couldn’t do this without Jesus in my corner.”
