Leader No. 26: Brandon Stone Features Stars of Friday Night Lights

If you’re a fan of prep sports, especially football, you probably know Brandon Stone.

Stone, 27, is features reporter for KUSI’s Prep Pigskin Report. He relishes the chance to give student-athletes the attention they deserve.

“As much as I love giving highlights of games, my real favorite thing to do is the Student Athlete profiles,” he said. “Talking about the good things that our high schoolers are doing is so rewarding. People think that high schoolers are either silly, thuggish or embarrassing. I want to prove them wrong. And I get to do that every week of the school year.”

Stone—who said he knew at an early age that he wanted to be a sports reporter in San Diego—is also involved in Torrey Pines Christian Church.

He says he’s inspired by people like attorney and talk-radio host Norman Goldman and former Chargers star LaDainian Tomlinson.

Advice for young people:

“Get your foot in the door, then jam your whole body in the opening. Make it so they can’t get rid of you. Give your soul to the project of making them know you. Invest more than they expect you. The world belongs to a small group of people, so make that small group adore your service. And never be afraid to stand up to power, so they know you can see them eye-to-eye.”