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Stratton Brown is a fearsome gridiron presence — something not easily divined from his lean, 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame.
He can rip off long runs on the flank with the ball in his hands or inflict a lot of punishment on anyone trying to do the same to his defense. He's quick, he's a strong tackler and he has great instincts.
But that's nothing, his rugby coaches will tell you: Wait until the pads come off.
"He was built to play rugby sevens," Utah Youth Rugby president Mike Cressler says. "Stratton can fly."
A lot of rugby observers would agree with that assessment: Brown has played for USA Youth Rugby each of the past two years, taking tours to Canada and London with the team. As a wing with a 4.4 40-yard dash, he has the potential to play professionally.
The trouble is that Brown, like many multisport athletes, can't play two sports at once. And there's not a doubt which one he'll pick given a choice.
"I'm a football-first kind of guy," says Brown, a senior at Riverton High. "My dream is to play college football. I'm not there yet."
There are definitely people who are interested in the defensive back and running back. Brown was offered a scholarship by Jackson State, and Southern Utah and Utah State have had some talks with him.
With a strong senior season, Brown could vault himself into some serious consideration from Division I schools.
"He's probably got more athleticism than any kid I've ever coached," Riverton coach Mike Miller says. "When he becomes a technician, the sky's the limit in my opinion."
But that's still pretty far from his mind. Hise freshest, most raw football memories come from the final game of Riverton's season last year. The Silverwolves fell to West in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.
Brown, benched with a sprain and a hamstring injury, could only watch from the sidelines.
"I played rugby and football all summer and I never got a chance to heal or recover," he says. "It was terrible, not being able to help your team or do anything about it. I hope I never have to go through that again."
To that end, Brown has been hammering his body in the weight room and leading Riverton in drills. But that means rugby is sidelined for now. He's skipping a chance to compete in South America to ensure he'll be more prepared for football season.
"I think he grew a lot from sitting out," Miller says. "He realizes he can't take opportunities to play for granted."
Cressler says he hopes Brown can succeed in whatever he chooses to do. But he also sees a lot of rugby potential that could go unfulfilled.
Brown has the essential physical tools for a rugby sevens player: speed, agility, strength and good hands. But the same things that make Brown a good teammate in football also make him a great rugby player: unselfishness and intelligence.
"He could play rugby for a living — he has the potential to play on the 2016 Olympic team if he committed to it," Cressler says. "I'll support him whatever his decision is. I hope he has a great life and that it includes rugby. But you can't be an Olympian and play football. There comes a point in life where you have to choose."
The choice for now is clear: Brown hasn't played much rugby since returning from England in March. He's all about football for the moment, and Cressler isn't sure if he'll be back next year for the Lowland Rugby Club, his home high-school team.
Brown isn't too talkative on the subject himself. But he says his rugby experiences have changed him a lot.
"It's been really eye-opening," he says. "You get to know what kids from other states are like, what kids from other countries are like. You meet new people and have some great life experiences."
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Stratton Brown carries the load for Rivertonand rugby
Played in Canada and the United Kingdom for the USA Youth National Team.
Rushed for 315 yards on 59 carries last season fighting through injury.
Made 30 tackles as a defensive back.