West Bloomfield's Brathwaite Earns Full-Ride Football Scholarship

C.J. Brathwaite, a senior who enjoyed a breakout football season this past fall, committed to play for Washington State University next fall, WBHS athletic director Pat Watson said Monday.

"He'll have a full-ride scholarship to play football," Watson said. "I was fortunate enough to coach C.J. in his freshman year on the basketball team — he's a great kid and a great student-athlete."

Scout.com's Allen Trieu broke the story Monday afternoon, after writing in mid-November that the running back had attracted an offer from the Pac-12 Conference school based in Pullman, WA. Lakers assistant coach Reggie Wynns confirmed that Brathwaite would be playing only football as a Washington State Cougar.

"C.J. works hard, he practices hard and he’s ready to play. He’s self-motivated. He’s worked very hard and he’ll be a very good football player," Wynns said.

"Keep in mind, he only started playing organized football in his freshman year of high school. He'll do great in the Pac-12."

Wynns added that he believes Brathwaite will compete for a starting assignment next fall, and that he expects that Brathwaite will succeed on account of his size and speed.

Brathwaite enjoyed on the road against Royal Oak, when he scored five touchdowns to lead the Lakers to a 39-21 win.

He was named, with three other Lakers, to the

"He's feeling pretty ecstatic," Wynns said. "He's made Washington State his home."

Brathwaite could not be reached for comment Monday night.