BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
BARBOURVILLE — Former Martin County Cardinal Bryston Wells is making the most of his opportunity at Union College. After earning playing time as a freshman and excelling in the classroom, he has been rewarded for his dedication. Wells is one of only four recipients out of 1,800 applicants to receive a prestigious scholarship from the Elliott Educational Foundation, a program offered through his father’s employer, Davis H. Elliot Company.
“With this generous scholarship, plus my football scholarship, I am on target to graduate debt-free,” Wells said. “I am truly overwhelmed with gratitude at the amount of support I continue to receive.”
The son of BJ and Christy Wells of Tomahawk, Wells has broken down barriers and proved that hard work can open the door for an abundance of opportunities.
He just wrapped up his first year with the Bulldogs and says his time at Martin County High School laid the foundation for his success.
“My time at Martin County helped me prepare for college athletics by helping me develop self-discipline when training,” said Wells. “It also helped prepare me in building relationships with my teammates and coaches.”
The leap from high school to college football came with challenges, especially the personal responsibility that comes with independence.
“In college, you’re on your own,” Wells said. “Everyone around you is busy. They don’t have time to push you to get up, to be present, to be responsible. You don’t have someone telling you to get up for school. It’s on you to get up every day and be a better version of yourself than what you were yesterday.”
Despite the pressure, Wells rose to the occasion.
“My first year in the classroom at Union was a great experience,” he said. “I had to stay motivated, even on the hard days, but I set high expectations for myself. I passed both semesters as an honor roll student. It’s hard to balance sports and studies. But knowing how important it was to succeed academically, to be eligible athletically, was key.”
On the field, Wells sped out of the gates.
“I worked hard to prove myself as a freshman. I earned my spot and, in return, received a lot of playing minutes,” he said. “In all, it set the tone for the 2025–26 season.”
Putting on his jersey for the first time was a moment Wells will not forget.
“Putting #98 on was a great feeling and gave me a fresh and new way to present myself on the next level,” he said. “It signified a new beginning for me.”
Humbled, he has not forgotten where that journey began.
“On my signing day, all my friends and family were there, and it was a special moment. I saw how proud everyone was,” Wells said. “I knew they had high hopes for me. In my speech I said I would do big things in honor of Martin County, and I meant it. Being a college player, I feel, gives the next high school players proof that playing at the next level is possible for small-town athletes.”
He offered advice for younger players back home who dream of reaching the next level.
“When I got to college, my D-line coach would always say, ‘Work wins.’ His message behind that was, ‘Everyone has a talent, but only a few are willing to do whatever it takes to win the game of football,’” Wells said. “So I would offer that advice to the younger guys. Hard work wins.”
Wells is majoring in criminal justice and hopes to pursue a career in federal law enforcement after graduation.