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How did you first get interested in football?
I first got into football as a little kid. I always felt like I understood and respected the tactical and gritty aspect of the sport. I play center on offense next to two of the hardest working guards I know. On defense, I play nose tackle surrounded by some of our conference’s best defenders.
Do you play any other sports?
I play basketball as a low post, plus I throw the shot put and discus in track. My favorite, besides football, is lifting weights. When it's you and the bar, there is no pressure, it’s trusting your gut with your work and pushing through it. I try to use that mindset in football: trust your work and push through it.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from high school sports?
If I had to pick a value sports has taught me, it’s patience and how to work. Sports usually teach people how to work, breaking past what you thought you could and couldn't do. But the patience, trusting the system, lifting for summers and running for weeks so we could play at a higher level, that’s what is great about patience. I needed patience since freshman year, along with my teammates, when we went 1-8. I wanted to contribute, but my coaches said lift and wait, so I did. We went 4-5 the following year, then the next year 8-2. This summer, we were told for the last time, work and be patient. I will miss that the most, the grind.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
My best advice would be from both my father and uncle who help coach our team. Sophomore year, I thought I earned a starting job but was still second string. I finally asked why, and they said if you want it, work for it. So I lifted heavier, ran faster and trained to throw farther. When I started junior year, I knew I had earned the job, which is why I enjoy every rep I can get.
What has been your favorite high school memory so far?
My best high school memory was seeing multiple weight room records being broken by my friends and I during the offseason.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I am a huge history buff. I enjoy learning from the past to prepare for the future. Funny how history and film go hand in hand.
How do you want to be remembered?
I want to be remembered as not just a football player, but a team player and good friend with my teammates and community for the rest of my days. I hope my passion for the sport and comradery rubs off on the Wildcats of tomorrow.
I would like to thank my father and mother for making me the man I am today, as well as Mr. Kent Johnson, Sean Porter, Bob Messer, Jayce Bell and Matthew Yardly for helping me become a better athlete.
To Tyrel Nelson, thank you for all the summer lifting and fun times, I am blessed with those. Being able to enjoy friends and family is always a gift, so shoutout to Ian EO Roeber, go get some gains, bro.
As for my teammates, Sawyer Nelson and Nathan Kindleberger, I know you have my back and I have yours. To Quinten Turner and Drew Pawek, keep being the athletes you are, and I can’t wait to see what we can do upfront. To Juan McFarlane and Trayton Nelson, keep pounding the rock and tearing it up. Kaden Heffington, nothing but respect, keep shutting down on defense back there. To Hunter Stunga, there’s no one else I would snap to.
And to Clayton “Cletus” Ledbetter, thank you for being a good teammate and a great friend.
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