Joe Everyguy's Story of Making It in Division I-A Football

Joe knew that he already had an offer from Alabama as well as at least nine other top schools.  He finally had a measuring stick.

The first day on the practice field, Joe sought out James Williams, Alabama's linebacker coach and said, "The last camp I was at, a coach there told me I had a good foundation but wasn't using my arms the right way to maximize my rush.  Can you teach me what I'm doing wrong and help me improve?"

"Yes, we'll work on that with you."  Williams said. "You're Joe Everyguy from Mill Creek, aren't you?"

"Yes sir," said Joe with a grin he couldn't hide because he was so pleased that Coach Williams knew him.

"Well, you show us what you have this week, because we're looking at signing at least two linebackers this year and we've been watching you and seeing how you develop." added Williams.

The practices were almost like punishment sessions.  They worked them long and hard, and some boys were beginning to question their choice of attending this camp.

Paired up with hotshot Ty Williams, Joe began to see why perhaps he was a five-star prospect.  He got some hoots and applause from the coaches for jumping high and batting a pass down on one play and another for beating the blocker badly and tackling a runner in the backfield just as he got the hand-off.

Joe was steady, always around the ball but didn't have a spectacular play to have coaches remember until near the end of the last day, when the offense called a screen play. 

Quickly seeing the offensive linemen retreat in pass blocking formation just a little too much, all his instincts said he was being suckered in. 

He took two quick steps forward and acted as if he was going to take on the blocker and stopped for just an instant and then before the quarterback was aware of it, started back-pedaling and looking for the back who had just milliseconds ago had been faked a hand-off.

He burst toward him, leaped and picked off a floating screen pass.  The runner was taken by surprise and he didn't react quickly enough to tackle him on the spot, but quickly took up the chase.  35 yards later, he was pulled down at the five-yard line.

Later in the locker room Joe's heart leaped when Coach Saban pointed at him and said, "Heads up play on that pick off."

As Coach Saban walked off, Ty added, "Yeah, but with my speed, I would have gone the distance."

Not to be put down, Joe said, "Yeah, but your brains, I would have been chasing the quarterback and never read the screen."

It was a comment that wasn't to be forgotten by the coaches who smiled but chose to let the lighthearted comment pass without acknowledgement.

The last day, the coaches timed them one more time in the 40.  Joe was almost a second slower than Ty who seemed to run his 4.42 time effortlessly.  Joe gave it his all, but his fastest came in at 4.50 with an average of 4.51.

"Darn!" Joe yelled when his time was called out.  He knew that in the speed and agility trials, for the first time in his life, he had come up short.

"Hey Joe!" one of the coaches called to him and he trotted over to him. "You're right you know, speed won't help you if you over run or over pursue the play will it?"

Whatever happened, Joe had certainly learned some new things, had learned that his arms were as much if not more a tool than his legs and brain and maybe had made some friends on the coaching staff.

Weeks pass and though a few schools showed early signs of offers, some of the bigger ones have given little. 

"Maybe when football season starts again, I'll have such a great senior year that the offers and visit requests will come pouring in." 

At least that was his hope.

If you're interested in what happens to Joe next, let me know.  If there's enough hits and interest I'll continue the chapters.

This is what the kids have just finished up at Alabama and other schools across the country.  Summer camps are sort of like a showcase for athletes to both refine their skills, break some bad habits, and get a flavor of what college ball is all about.

Next is the recruiting, official visits and Sr. year stage.

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