After the NSU sidelines, Branche eager to make up for lost time

NORFOLK, VA - DeAngelo Branche compared climbing the stadium stairs repeatedly in Tuesday's humid conditions to a walk in the park. "Just like when I was a kid," said the Norfolk State running back, smiling big as sweat dripped from his shoulder-length dreads.

It's unlikely all of Branche's teammates shared his enthusiasm, but Tuesday was not just any first day of practice for the Spartan sophomore. It was another step toward the reward he covets: suiting up Aug. 30, the day after he turns 21, for NSU's opener against Virginia State.

Expect Branche, limited by academic issues to a scout-team role last year, to start at running back. "I'm telling everybody - the coaches, the players - when they ask if I'm ready this year, that I'm coming back with a vengeance," said Branche, with one tattoo that reads "No pain" painted down his right arm and another, "No gain," scribbled down his left.

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