If you put the time in, you will eventually see the results. Maybe not right away, but eventually you’ll see the results. Hopefully some day you can go play college football, too.”

Senior Brayden Hime

TORRINGTON – . Excelling at football involves a considerable amount of work and determination.

“Football is difficult in about every way possible – learning the different plays, the different techniques, the mental aspect,” Torrington High School senior Brayden Hime said.

Hime stepped onto the gridiron for the final time as a high schooler this fall after playing on both the offensive and defensive lines for the Blazers. 

The opportunity to study a new play in football, improve on a technique or find a new mental angle to the game kept Hime coming back to the sport each year.

“You can always get better at football,” Hime said. “I love being able to work to be better. There’s a beauty in the struggle. You can always get better with your feet, your hands. You can get stronger. You can be smarter.”

Hime’s work ethic and talent on the field caught the attention of college recruiters. On Wednesday, February 5, Hime committed to continue his football career at the collegiate level when he inked to play for the Black Hills State University Yellow Jackets in Spearfish, South Dakota.

Black Hills State was a perfect fit for the senior.

“I just loved the atmosphere up in Spearfish,” Hime remarked. “In terms of the team, I loved their core values and how they push each other. It’s a really player-led team.”

Hime’s father, Shane Hime, played basketball for the Black Hills State Yellow Jackets and graduated from the university with a teaching degree, a significant contribution to Hime’s decision to play for the school.

Hime will play as a defensive end for the Yellow Jackets under the guidance of head coach Josh Breske and defensive line coach Brendan Hopkins.

“I look forward to getting bigger, faster, stronger – seeing what I can do at the college level against other athletes who are getting bigger, faster, stronger,” Hime said. “It’s a chance to play the sport I love for five more years.”

Hime first tried out for football in third or fourth grade.

“I always wanted to do sports,” Hime added. “Football just came up and I thought it would be a good idea to sign up. I’m glad I did. I think I always liked football, but it definitely took a while to get the hang of it.”

Hime kept at the sport and by his junior year in high school, was starting as an offensive lineman for the Blazers. Hime clinched honorable mention all-conference for the 2023 season, the same year the Blazers broke a three-decades long draught and captured the 2A state title.

“I would say the biggest highlight (in high school football) was winning state,” Hime said. “It was breathtaking to say the least. I’m happy I was able to be a part of the team that was able to make that feat happen. All the games are fun in football, but the overarching thing that I’m going to remember for the rest of my life is winning state.”

As a senior for the rebranded 3A Blazers in 2024, Hime started as both an offensive and defensive lineman and earned all-conference accolades.

“I was kind of all over this year playing defensive tackle, nose and defensive end,” Hime noted.

Offense came easy to Hime, but the senior preferred playing defense.

“Your whole reason to be out there (on defense) is to stop the opponent and get your offense back on the field so they can do their thing,” Hime said. “I like being able to work towards the bigger picture on defense.”

Torrington came up short in advancing to the title game this season, but the Blazers posted three conference wins and made it to the quarterfinals in the 3A conference.

“All things considered, we exceeded a lot of people’s expectations moving up to 3A,” Hime added.

Hime is a multisport athlete and is currently starting for the Blazer varsity basketball team. The senior also throws shot put and discus during the outdoor track season. Each of the three sports compliment the others.

“The ability to be light on your feet and not so heavy – to get your momentum going the right way and be able to stop on a dime – that translates to all sports,” Hime said.

At the end of the day, success on the field is only possible through academic success.

“Academics play a huge role in sports,” Hime said.

Hime is a member of the National Honor Society and consistently made the honor role throughout high school. He also earned Torrington High School’s scholar-athlete award as a freshman, sophomore and junior. The award is granted to the male and female multisport athlete with the highest GPA at the school.

Hime’s advice to young players just starting out is to “keep working” at football.

“If you put the time in, you will eventually see the results. Maybe not right away, but eventually you’ll see the results. Hopefully some day you can go play college football, too.”

Hime expressed deep gratitude to his parents, grandparents and coaches for their support over the years.

“I loved my coaches,” Hime said. “They were really easy to get along with. You were able to talk to them outside of football and I loved that.”