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UA jersey tour: Braden Mann

WATCH: Braden Mann UA jersey presentation

Texas A&M kicker and punter commitment Braden Mann was presented with an Under Armour All-America jersey on Wednesday morning, in a ceremony attended by friends, family and classmates at Cy-Fair High in Cypress, Texas.

For Mann, Wednesday’s ceremony really was a dream come true after watching the game for the past five years.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Mann. “I’ve been watching the Under Armour Game since the seventh grade. It’s really crazy to think that I’m in the game now. It’s the only game I wanted to play in,”

Not only will Cy-Fair High have Mann taking part in the 2016 Under Armour All-America Game, but teammates Austin Deculus and Brock Wright will be on hand in Orlando for the Under Armour Future50 and are slated to play in the 2017 Under Armour All-America Game. That will make for an even more special week for Mann and Cy-Fair High.

“It’s going to be awesome to have Austin and Brock there, and in the 2017 game. We have never had an Under Armour All-American, and now we will have three in two years. It will be awesome to have them in Orlando to support me.”

After Mann graduates from Cy-Fair High, (his expected graduation date is in December), he will make the short trip to College Station to attend Texas A&M. Mann is expected to compete from Day 1 for punter, kickoff and place-kicking duties with Taylor Bertolet and Drew Kaser graduating this year.

“As soon as I get there, I’m going to compete for a spot. I will be competing for both the punter and kicker duties.”

Five questions with Braden Mann:

What is your earliest football memory?

That would probably be in the fifth grade. I played running back and linebacker, but I kicked a 33-yard field goal. I never really concentrated on kicking, so I was surprised and remember being so excited.

Which football player did you watch as a kid?

For the past six or seven years I’ve watched a lot of Justin Tucker. The way he approaches the game, and how humble he has remained is impressive.

If you could take on any pro in their sport, who would it be and why?

I would probably play one-on-one against Kobe [Bryant] to see if I could score a single point against him. I think I could!

What number do your wear, and why?

I wear 12. At the time when I got to high school, 12 was available and I knew a lot of really good quarterbacks have worn it. It’s also the number of the 12th man at Texas A&M. When I get to Texas A&M, I will have to change though.

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I’m actually a pretty good juggler. I can juggle bowling pins, basketballs and footballs.