RUSTON, La. - Don't expect to see Kentrell Brice spending a rare day off sitting on the dock of the bay anytime soon.

He admits he was a fish out of water, so to speak, at this year's Conference USA football media day, in more ways than one.

When the league organized an event that involved student-athletes from each of its 13 football-playing member institutions spending an afternoon fishing off the pier in south Florida, Brice wasn't exactly thrilled. His media responsibilities the next day weren't high on the soft-spoken safety's list either.

"Fishing is not my forte and I'm fine with it staying that way," he said. "That was my first time in a broadcasting studio with lights, cameras and everyone in my face looking at me," he recalled. "But [representing Tech] and getting to be around everyone else from Conference USA was a great experience. I tried to stay humble about it and I always make sure to give thanks to God."

Spending a day in a TV studio is far from what Brice, who is a hometown product born and raised in Ruston, would have envisioned when he settled on staying home and becoming a Bulldog by signing his National Letter of Intent as a Ruston Bearcat.

In high school, Brice was busy fielding calls and visits from some of the biggest names in college football, notably Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon State and Nebraska. He could have lit up the fields of the Big 12, Pac 10, SEC and the Big Ten on a weekly basis, but his interest was elsewhere.

"I had a lot of big schools come my way," Brice admitted. "With me deciding to stay home and come to Tech, I felt like it would benefit me more than going off somewhere because I had the opportunity to come and play early on like I did and I got to do it in my hometown. It was also nice to come somewhere like Tech that was building something and be able to set the standard for where we are now."

When Brice opted to become a Bulldog, it allowed his family the opportunity to see him play under the lights on a regular basis, a rarity for many college football players. Now, as he enters year four at Tech, there is just one section of Joe Aillet Stadium close to the north end zone that catches his eye every time he steps on the turf.

"It is nice to know I will always have a great fan base at the games," Brice said. "They always sit in the same section so I know exactly where to look, where to find them, and that is very comforting to look up and see your loved ones supporting you."

As calm and confident as the senior safety may appear on the field, he is not one to stray from his shy demeanor unless called upon. His voice is certainly not the first you would hear if you were to casually stroll through the LA Tech locker room on any given day, although his presence is often felt in a big way.

"I feel that a lot of guys that talk a lot and are rah-rah guys sometimes don't back it up on the field," he said. "I choose to not speak as much and lead by example because I feel like leading by example is a better way to motivate people.

"I take a lot of pride in that. I didn't think anyone was noticing at first because I pay attention to what other people are doing, but for the most part I stay in the zone and keep to myself. To see that some of the guys look to me as a leader, I feel very confident in that role."

On any given day, you might find Brice browsing through his phone in the field house, killing time before or after a workout or practice. His attention is typically drawn to a list of goals he has written in his phone. The list of goals is constantly growing and ever changing, both on a personal level, as well as Brice's hopes for the Bulldogs as a unit.

When posed with the option to ditch the pads and fast-paced football world for a more laid back lifestyle on the pier, Brice simply chuckled.

"No, not at all," he laughed. "I don't want to just sit around. After playing football for so long, I am used to being active and hands on. I like to be around people and know I am doing something good and effecting people's lives positively."

Brice didn't catch any fish that July day in south Florida. He said he didn't even come close to a bite. But whether the fish are biting or not, Brice is poised for a stellar senior season on solid ground for the Bulldogs. That is the only thing that matters to the safety that will eagerly terrorize opposing offenses this fall for one last season.

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