A while back, I wrote an article about a young man by the name of Adam Long, who was attempting to walk on at a nearby college. This young man was attempting to do what many people considered impossible. He had not played a down of high school football. Also, he was attempting to play one of the most demanding positions on the field, quarterback. That young man is now playing college football at the Division II level.
I know it is only the Division II level, but considering his inexperience, his accomplishment is amazing. However, if you talk to him, he just did what he was told. It was God's work.
He worked extremely hard for a year and a half, and he had a complete transformation.
He gained 40 lbs.
He dropped his 40 time by over half a second.
He increased his personal best in the bench and the squat by over 100 lbs and 200 lbs, respectively.
In that time, he had to overcome the adversity of being cut the first time he tried to make the team.
I have seen him throw, and despite a few rough edges, I think he has a bright future at the University of West Georgia. He is with me right now for a small Q & A.
Q: What was the most difficult thing about walking on as a quarterback?
A: It was letting the bad days be only bad days and nothing more. Also, it was hard to not give up on football after I was cut the first time I tried out. I'd say that love for the game is what kept me going because I wanted to quit so bad. I tried not to go near a football after I was cut, but I just couldn't stay away from it.
Q: What happened when coach let you on the team?
A: I was coming off some bad days in my individual workouts. I was having some elbow pain when I threw, and my forty time was considerably slower...and tryouts were coming up.
I was at home talking with my roommate, and I was saying maybe God just doesn't want me to play football. Then I prayed about it, and next thing I know I am asking Coach about the tryout. He tells me that I do not need to try out. He was going to let me on the team.
It was like a burden had been lifted off of my shoulders because I knew that everything I had been through was for a reason, and I had so many doubters. I was truly blessed.
Q: At the University of West Georgia, you guys had your spring practice before spring break, what was it like to be on a team again?
A: It was very surreal for me because I never dreamed I would be playing college football. I don't have the same experience as anybody on the team, so my reaction to practice is different. I look at every day as a blessing, and I hate that spring ball is over because I can't work with our coach until we start fall practice. But I was just extremely excited to get those red practice shorts and the green jersey.
Q: As a team, how did spring practice go? Then, how did they go for you?
A: Overall, I think we are better. We all still have a long ways to go and a lot of hard work in front of us, but I think we will be okay as long as we take care of the small things.
Personally, I learned a lot about the way to make every throw and how to know exactly where I am going when I see a certain coverage. I had some good days and some bad days. I need more consistency. Hard work pays off.
Q: You have had to jump a lot of hurdles, and you had to go through a lot of hoops to accomplish a dream of playing college football. Any advice you would give to anyone in a similar position?
A: Do not let anything or anyone stand in your way. If anyone tells you no, just keep working hard and keep faith in yourself and in God. Use that as motivation to work harder and get better. Walk-on's in general are the underdogs and have their backs against the wall. Draw off of that and be fearful of getting cut, and use that fear.
If you don't make it, try again. If anyone says no, that just means to try again. Let the coaches know that you are here for the team, and you just want to get better. Be a leader, and do not stop no matter what the odds. Most importantly though, let God be at the forefront of your journey, and tell God about what's going on. Be open to the possibility that God may not want you to play football and let God's will be your way. Pray about it.
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