Former OU Safety Brandon Everage Drowns In Texas

News9.com

BRYAN, Texas – Former University of Oklahoma safety Brandon Everage drowned Friday in the Little River at the Bryan Station Bridge in west Milam County, Texas.

According to press release from the Milam County Sheriff's Office, members of a dive team located Everage's body at approximately 10:50 a.m. Saturday.

His body has since been transported to the Travis County Medical Examiner. 

The press release states that the Milam County Sheriff's office received a call late Friday evening reporting a possible drowning on the Little River.

When police arrived at the location, Everage's friends stated they had been swimming when Everage went under water and didn't resurface.

Investigators searched late into the night before the search was stopped for safety concerns.

The search resumed early Saturday morning assisted by the Morgan's Point rescue and dive team who eventually found Everage's body.

Everage, a six-foot safety played for the Sooners from 1999-2003 and was not only a part of three Big 12 Championships, but was also a member of the National Championship team in 2000.

He also earned All-American honors after his junior year in 2002. That year he tallied six interceptions with 107 yards in returns. Everage had the third-highest number of tackles on the team that year with 94 take downs.

Midway through his senior season, Everage suffered a torn bicep and rotator cuff that forced him to undergo off-season surgery. The surgery left him unable to participate in NFL combines and cause him to miss the 2004 NFL season.

He then spent one season playing in the National Indoor Football League with the Flying Aces before signing a contract with the AFL's Utah Blaze in November 2009.

Former teammates and friends have been paying tribute to Everage throughout the day on Twitter and Facebook.

Tashard Choice, who spent one year playing football at OU with Everage wrote: "R.I.P Brandon Everage aka Book I'm gone miss you man. Thanks for being a big bro for me at OU and being loyal friend god bless you man."