I recently walked away from the game I've played and loved my entire life after playing two years of Division 1 FBS college football.
Here are the top 10 things I learned along the way.
-Thread-
This game 3 tomorrow is bigger than baseball. Everybody rally behind this team and let’s send Coach Berry off in Omaha the right way.
#ChooseSouthernMiss
Beyond blessed and thankful for what you taught me during my 20 years of life that I had you for. You were everything I aspire to be in a man, now and moving forward. Thank you for everything Pawpaw, I owe it all to you. I love you endlessly. ❤️
Forget the frustration for a moment, fans. What this young man
@AverieHabas
has done to get back on the field is nothing short of remarkable. It’s one of the most incredible stories you’ll ever hear.
I’m so proud to say I played alongside him for two years.
10) There is more to life than the game.
Sometimes, athletes get way too caught up in how they perform on the field and allow it to define them. Understand that there are a lot of things in life that are bigger than the game and that it does NOT define you as a human being.
After playing D1 FBS college football, I have a completely newfound perspective on the game.
My goal is to share what caught me by surprise, so that it doesn’t have to for you.
Here are the top 10 TRUTHS you should know about college football as a high school recruit:
-Thread-
Everyone needs to relax. Our guys set the world on fire for 4 games straight and the ball just didn’t roll our way tonight.
It happens.. that’s baseball.
Fans that are publicly putting down our players don’t genuinely love Southern Miss.
Happy Father’s Day to the biggest role model in my life. I wouldn’t be nearly where I am or the man I am today without you. Love you, Dad!
@HebertEnergy
Mississippi State is going to deal with a root canal without the novacane until it gets KeShawn Murphy and Tolu Smith back.
Bulldogs over Southern Miss by six.
13 for freshman Josh Hubbard.
Remember The Name.
Can’t put into words how deserving he is of this honor. Stayed loyal and waited for his time when many others would have hit the portal or looked for a way out. Proud to call you my brother!
@astein8
@USMSpecialists
No truer saying than “man’s best friend”. This morning, I lost my best friend of nearly 13 years as she went to be with the Lord. She was the best dog a man could ever dream of having. She was loyal, loving, and spread joy into every room she entered. I love you so much Sophie ❤️
Just made my connecting flight in New York after sprinting all the way across 3 terminals in less than 15 minutes. All the credit goes to
@Silverback_LA
for more than 2 years of top notch strength and conditioning training.
#FindAWay
2) The offseason is more important than the season.
Don't get it twisted, everyone remembers what you do on Saturdays, BUT the offseason is when you make all of your forward strides as a player. The season is a 14-week process of applying the changes you made in the offseason.
3) The bond you build with your unit is everything.
Your position group is who you spend the most time with. Think of it like a military task force, this unit MUST be extremely cohesive in order to hold each other accountable and perform the job at a high level.
Extremely thankful for this outstanding group of ΣΧ alumni here in Hattiesburg. I was honored to be recognized as the outgoing President of the chapter tonight. Can’t put into words how much brining back Theta Delta to this campus and community means to me.
Forever a Sig.
#IHSV
4) Character matters.
Good character is the glue that holds a program worth playing for together. Everyone at this level has unreal talent, the ones that make everyone around them miserable do NOT end up sticking around for long; the ones that lift others up do.
Played my last baseball game yesterday. Wouldn’t trade a single one of them for the world. Thanks for a lifetime of memories, baseball. You’ll be missed.
5) Coaches notice extra work.
They may not say it to your face, but the extra time you spend in the facility doesn't go unnoticed. The first to arrive and the last to leave are often the same 8-10 guys every day. This group gains such an advantage over everyone else over time.
From Day1, this staff has promised to make it important to bring the “Nasty Bunch” back!!! Little preview of the renovations going on in the Duff Center!
#AIE
#SMTTT
#NaaaaaaastyBunch
9) The transfer portal has changed the game.
Right now it is harder than ever for young guys to get on the field. There are thousands of athletes in the portal looking to take your spot and many of them with experience. If you don't meet the standard you WILL be replaced.
8) There is no real "off period".
Playing D1 is more than a before/after school commitment like in high school. It's a complete allowance of your daily schedule throughout the entire year completely revolving around your sport. If you aren't okay with this, it isn't for you.
Don’t we pride ourselves on being the university that’s hospitable and classy? This is not it..
And believe me I dislike in-state rivals as much as anybody, but this type of behavior is embarrassing.
1) You have everything in front of you to succeed.
As a Division 1 athlete, you have unlimited access to free meals, tutoring, counseling, recovery, equipment, and so much more. Because of this, there is no excuse to not be in peak condition on the field and in the classroom.
Can’t stress enough how sacred times with Dad, Pawpaw, and I all together were. They’re the two men that are the reason I’m where I am today. Nothing motivates me more than bearing their names for the rest of my life.
Happy Father’s Day.
7) The greats pave their own path.
The great players don't just follow the daily cookie-cutter schedule or itinerary, they push the limits and find success by doing what nobody else around them is doing and do it on an everyday basis. What does this look like for you?
6) Staying injured is not an option.
Nobody wants to get injured, but STAYING injured is a different animal. Staying injured shows a lack of discipline in your recovery and rehab. It is essential to do everything in your power to get back on the field as quickly as possible.
Great turnout at the first annual Sigma Chi Golf Classic this morning! Big thank you to
@CoachLadner
for being our keynote speaker and all of the sponsors for allowing us to make it happen!
After a great call with
@CoachTurner_
I'm blessed and thankful to say I've received another division 1 opportunity to continue my football career at
@GovsFB
@APSUCoachSW
Been working with Poplarville’s
@kylerbth
on his kicking the last few weeks. Kid is just an 8th grader and is making tremendous improvements quickly!
@NKR_Camps
@SpecialTeamsFB
Precursor:
First, I just want to say that I loved every moment of playing at Southern Miss. I am forever thankful for my coaches, who took a chance on me as a mildly recruited high school prospect, and especially for my teammates as well who many have become lifelong friends.
Thank you Lord for blessing me with this opportunity. I am excited to announce I am committed to the University of Southern Mississippi! Go where you’re celebrated! Cannot wait to start my time as a Golden Eagle! 💛🦅
@CoachGMeyer
@Coach_Hall7
@SouthernMissFB
@OneOnOneKicking
When adversity comes in life the only thing you can do is look it in the eye and attack it one day at a time. Don’t let the circumstances in life dictate who you are as a person.
Twitter prohibits the amount of characters it would take to explain everything
@nick_sandlin
has done for
@SouthernMissBSB
. Thank you Nick for an exceptional three year tenure at Southern Miss and everything you have done for the program! Best of luck to what the future holds.