September 12, 2025
Talented playmaker Taariik Brett latest in Ferris State football team’s tradition of high-quality slot receivers
Taariik Brett arrived at Ferris State University with modest goals to begin his college football career. Today, the Bulldog veteran emerged as major contributor on offense and with special teams for the nation's top-ranked team.
A junior from Jonesboro, Georgia, Brett has become an explosive slot receiver and electrifying return specialist with big-play ability anytime the football finds its way into his hands.
"Coming to Ferris State in 2021, the biggest thing for me was focusing on learning as much as I could and working on getting bigger and stronger," he said. "I wanted to make sure I knew what I was doing and that I was going to be ready to play when my opportunity came."
This season, the defending NCAA Division II national champion Bulldogs are the consensus No. 1 team in the nation and off to a 2-0 start with wins over nationally ranked Pittsburg State and Lake Erie College.
Brett, who played in the Georgia Rising Seniors All-Star Game and was a multi-year starter and letterwinner for Mt. Zion High School, has been an integral component of the team's game plans.
His growth is not only to perform with excellence on the gridiron, but also to lead and mentor younger teammates coming up. He takes that leadership responsibility seriously.
"It's great for me to have opportunities to talk to the younger guys about what I've been through to help them along their way," said Brett, who was the Georgia Region 5-AAAA All-Region Athlete of the Year and a first-team all-region choice as a prep. "I talk to our younger guys about what it is and what it isn't. It's important for them to know as early and often as possible what they need to do and the work that they need to put in to be where they want to be on the field."
Brett has become a key factor on the field.
A trip to the national championship game was on the line in the 2024 NCAA Division II National Semifinals game against Slippery Rock University. Brett found the football in his hands at a critical moment.
The Bulldogs trailed 28-14 when Brett fielded a kickoff that he would return 87 yards for a touchdown to the roar of the Top Taggart Field crowd.
"Big plays like that on special teams, which takes all of us doing what we need to do, can give the team a boost," he said, who earlier in the 2024 season took the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown in a 43-3 win over Ashland on Sept. 14. "That return against Slippery Rock, to take it to the house, helped give the team back some momentum. We came away with the 'W' in the end."
The Bulldogs roared back for a 48-38 win over The Rock and used that momentum to ultimately win the 2024 NCAA Division II National Championship with a 49-14 victory over Valdosta State.
That victory added to a tradition of Bulldog gridiron success – a standard Brett has taken pride in helping grow with his teammates.
But there's another tradition, tucked inside the history of program success. Ferris State has traditionally recruited and developed high-caliber and versatile slot receivers.
"It feels good to be part of the tradition that we have at Ferris State, and it also feels good to be part of our tradition of producing good slot receivers," he said. "I've been here, we've had Marcus Taylor, C.J. Jefferson and we have Brady Rose. We've had some great slots."
The Bulldogs also welcomed the return of talented slot receiver Deion Small, a Florida native, who missed last season due to injury.
Brett has sprinter’s speed and he’s been able to apply it to other sports.
"In the spring, I walked on with the track team, and it has really helped me with my top-end speed," he said. "I love the competition and being part of the track team, and it also helps me with football – especially when I'm having to finish off those long runs."
Off to a 2-0 start, the Bulldogs return home to face Tiffin University with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m. from Top Taggart Field on Saturday, Sept. 13.
College football careers only last so long. Brett wants to enjoy every second and minute of his Bulldog career.
"It's just great to be out there every day with the guys," he said. "I'm looking forward to it every game."