The Grove Student-Athlete Spotlight: Tarleton State Football’s Tolvert dedicating football career to grandmothers

The Georgia sun was shining in Columbus, but there were some dark days back home for Tarleton Football defensive lineman Brandon "Bino" Tolvert this past summer.
In a span of two weeks, Tolvert lost two grandmothers that served as parental figures in his life.
Despite the sadness filling the room, Tolvert knew there was only one thing left to do.
He strapped on his helmet, laced up his cleats, and marched on the field ready to play the rest of his football career in his grandmothers' honor.
"I always wanted to say something that made them smile," Tolvert said. "I always wanted to make sure that I continue keeping that smile on their face. I feel like right now when I'm keeping my head up, I'm doing that."
Circumstances With A Smile
Emily Williams and Debra Gatewood were instrumental in developing "Bino" into the man he is today. Helping raise him in Columbus, Georgia, Gatewood and Williams provided many special memories for their grandson.
Tolvert's grandma Debra gave him his very first Bible. His grandma Emily taught Bino to cook, clean and knit.
With a man of the house absent from Tolvert until middle school, his grandmothers and his mother, Shavekia Layfield, taught Tolvert important elements of manhood. Through his Christian values, work ethic and desire to provide for his family, Tolvert gained wisdom at an early age.
Tolvert witnessed his grandmothers go through a profusion of challenging circumstances, but with smiles on their faces.

"I always asked myself, 'How do they do it?'" Tolvert said. "There were always obstacles that they went through and there were times that were hard. They always kept pushing, kept giving God his glory. They are the main reason I built a good relationship with God because they put it through my head for years
Tolvert quickly turned himself into a college prospect and was 2-7A Region Defensive Player of the Year with First Team All-State honors. While staying in Georgia was a comfort zone for Tolvert, it was his grandmothers that pushed him to pursue Tarleton State.

Feeling like Tarleton State was part of the plan set out for him, Tolvert signed with the Texans during the February National Signing Day of 2021. He was just one of two players in his class to sign from a high school outside of Texas.

"They gave me strength and motivation to go all the way from Georgia to be here," Tolvert said. "They motivated me to put in the work and still have that passion and drive (to play college football). They played a big part in me coming here."
'The New Me'
As a star for Newnan High School's defense, Tolvert walked onto the Memorial Stadium field expecting to make an immediate impact for Tarleton State Football. Making a strong impression on his coaches during camp, Tolvert was told that he would get some minutes early on in the season.
His dream of playing college football, however, was delayed just days before his freshman campaign began.
Tolvert tested positive for COVID-19 on Sept. 2, 2021, two days before Tarleton State was set to open the season at Stephen F. Austin. The disease caused a leaking valve in his heart, resulting in him missing the first six games of the season.
The disease not only caused Tolvert to miss time on the field, but it turned him into somebody that was different from the man his grandmothers brought up. Tolvert turned people away from his life and took his anger out on loved ones, all because he felt he disappointed his support system.
"I can't even lie, I sat down and cried," Tolvert said. "(My people) are all the way in Georgia cheering me on, but I'm not even playing because of something I probably could have avoided. Every time I went to my grandparents, they always told me, 'Just pray. Tell God thank you.'"
Bouncing back to play the final five games of the 2021 season, Tolvert recorded 11 total tackles and had a season-high seven tackles against in-state rival Abilene Christian. Although he was expected to be a defensive contributor as a sophomore, Tolvert needed more time to prepare mentally for the challenges ahead.
Tolvert burst onto the scene in 2023. He led all Texan defensive linemen in total tackles with 36 with 18 solo stops, recording at least four tackles in five games. He was a major contributor for a defense that led the United Athletic Conference in yards per play allowed (4.76), defensive touchdowns (four, tied-fourth in FCS) and fumbles recovered (11, tied-ninth in FCS).
"He embraced the challenge and knew the circumstances of why he wasn't on the field and able to participate," defensive line coach said. "He worked his butt off and that (practice squad year) is why he is the player that he is today."
'The Only Way To Proceed'
As Tolvert was preparing for his junior season in summer 2024, he received the news that his Grandma Debra had passed away.
Two weeks later, his Grandma Emily was laid to rest.
Both his grandmothers and the rest of Tolvert family had planned to commute an hour and a half to see Tolvert and the Texans take on West Georgia at University Stadium Nov. 9. With his grandmothers no longer in the stands, there was only one way for him to persevere through his college career: dedicate his play to their memory.
"For that to happen in such a close manner, it broke me down," Tolvert said. "I felt like the only way for me to proceed and continue on with my college career was to dedicate my season to them. I loved them with all of my heart. No matter how far I am, I always told them I loved them. This season, next season and many more are dedicated to them."
Utilizing his grandmothers' values on and off the field, Tolvert has turned into one of the defensive leaders for Tarleton State. He helped the Texan defense force four turnovers against McNeese on Aug. 24, resulting in a 26-23 win in front of a nationally-televised audience.
The 2024 UAC Preseason All-Conference member has not just been a vocal leader to his defense. He has continued his grandmothers' roots by leading by example.
"He's a vocal leader and he's also a leader by effort and play. That's the biggest thing," Tate said. "You have guys that don't say a whole lot. They put that helmet on and go on the football field, they just give it their all. His teammates see that and they want to be like that."
Just like the tough love he received from his grandmothers in Georgia, Tolvert carries that to his teammates to push them for their best. His teammates have gladly responded to the junior's leadership.
"He's going to be tough on you," junior linebacker said. "He's going to yell at everybody to do their job, just as he would want us to yell at him to do his job. At the end of the day, it's all love. He's just reminding everybody that he loves y'all no matter what happens. We're in this together and we're here to make each other better."
While his faith, family and brothers on the Texans lift him up daily, it is the memory and spirit from Tolvert's grandmothers that make him who he is today.

"As long as God is by my side, as long as my mother is by my side and as long as my team is by my side, I can stay strong for them," Tolvert said with a smile. "The way they raised me and how I turned out to be makes me glad that they were my grandmothers. When I go on to higher and better things, it is going to be dedicated to them because they made me the man I am today and I am blessed for that."

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