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ASU Football: Brandon Magee Balances Football and Baseball

Almost every child dreams of becoming a professional athlete.

However, not everyone has the talent, motivation and work ethic necessary to achieve these fantasies.

Arizona State senior Brandon Magee not only has the talent to be a professional athlete, but to be a two-sport athlete as well.

Magee plays outfield for the Sun Devil baseball team and was drafted in the 21st round by the Oakland Athletics. He also excels as a linebacker for the football team where he was second in tackles last season.

"I haven’t had a break in seven years," Magee said. "I just train. I live here. This is what I do."

While choosing a sport and a focus would seem like the easy way out, the 5-foot-11 athlete has a passion for both sports and is determined to see how far he can go in both football and baseball.

"I love baseball and I love football too," Magee said. "It’s tough to get rid of one sport because I’m so used to doing two that I wouldn’t know what to do with myself. I’ve got to see how far I can get in both sports. I want to show people what I can do."

His current talents may revolve around baseball and football, but Magee radiates confidence and has a strong belief that he can be successful in anything he chooses to do.

"I believe in myself big time," Magee said. "I got a future in whatever I put my mind to. I can play football. I’ll play volleyball next year if you want me to. I can do anything."

Magee has until August 15 to decide whether he wants to sign a baseball contract, but he will play his final season of ASU football either way.

National and local media have placed a lot of expectations on the 2011 Sun Devils, expectations that Magee and the team are embracing and willing to accept.

Coming from someone with as much confidence as Magee, it should not surprise anyone that he believes big things are in store for the 2011 Sun Devils.

"Everybody cares a lot more," Magee said when asked how this team compares to teams of previous years. "We are working a lot harder. All around there is a better vibe."

If ASU is able to live up to the lofty expectations placed before them, the defense will have to perform well.

Luckily for the Sun Devils and their fans, Magee has a special chemistry with fellow linebackers Vontaze Burfict and Shelly Lyons as they graduated from the same southern California high school and are roommates as well.

"It’s a connection," Magee said. "It’s a vibe out there. We talk routes, we talk runs, we talk what we see. I’m so used to how everybody plays. We are all low-key kind of crazy."

Although the three linebackers have enjoyed their time in Tempe together, Magee will not feel satisfied without a championship, something he believes the Sun Devils can claim this season.

"It’s not going to be what I thought until we win that championship this year," Magee said. "That will be the icing on the cake. We’ve got to be the leaders of the defense and show every team that we can play. [We need to] show them that we are not playing around this year."