What gives you an advantage over other athletes at Quarterback?

I have the prototypical size (6’5″, 220 lbs, 10 inch hands) and strength for a professional quarterback.  I can drive the ball with high velocity and accuracy on short and intermediate throws, as well as put touch on deep balls.  While I may not have the game experience of other quarterbacks who played in college, I have been working with nationally renowned quarterback coach Jeff Trickey to improve the fundamentals of my game at the position.  I am constantly training to learn and improve my game, whether it be physically at my sports performance gym or with Coach Trickey, or mentally by learning how to read defenses, fine-tuning my mechanics, or reading about new recovery methods to keep my body in peak physical condition.

What does being a student of a game mean to you?

Being a student of the game means that I am always trying to learn more about the game, and also constantly trying to figure out what I can improve on.  I try to never make the same mistake twice, and I am always asking my coaches and teammates what I can do better.

How does being a Quarterback reflect itself in your personal life?

A quarterback is a leader, plain and simple.  I have always tried to be a leader by being a good example of hard work and integrity, whether it be in the weight room, meeting/film room, or just in everyday life.  As a Christian, I aim to treat everyone with kindness and respect, and doing that has helped me forge great relationships with many people.

How would you describe your work ethic?

I believe that everyone can accomplish their dreams, as long as they are willing to work hard and never give up.  Although I am an underdog, having been a backup in high school and not having any true college football experience, I believe that I make up for it with my heart and passion for the game.  I have transformed myself from a scrawny, uncoordinated and unathletic kid who stood on the sidelines in high school to a serious athlete that has competed at several pro combines and showcases.  I love working hard and getting better in every way, whether it be on the field with my mechanics, in the weight room, or learning something new about how to read a defense.  I love to silence critics, both on the outside and in my own head.

What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishment in your sports career so far?

Getting invited to HUB Football Camp in San Diego last spring was absolutely surreal.  Knowing how selective it is to get into, and getting coached by former NFL coaches and players was so humbling and exciting at the same time!

How did you hear about the National Scouting Combine?

This will actually be my second time attending the National Scouting Combine!  I attended last year after my good friend and NSC alumnus Luke Bialozynski told me about it.

Why did you choose the National Scouting Combine?

I had a great experience at the National Scouting Combine last year as a receiver.  I met so many great people that were so friendly and helpful to me.  Having decided to switch back to quarterback this year (more to come on that in the next question), I knew that the National Scouting Combine would be the best place to get in front of scouts and evaluators and show what I can do.

What do you hope to show people at the combine?

I hope to show that I am a legitimate quarterback prospect with professional-level talent.  I had a serious injury to my throwing arm in high school that never healed properly (until recently), so my throwing ability diminished.  Because of this, I had to switch to wide receiver/tight end, which I pursued for many years (including at NSC last year).  After last year’s combine and HUB Camp, I quickly realized I did not have the speed or quickness necessary to play receiver at a high level.  My dream has always been to be an NFL quarterback, but I had talked myself out of it for so many years because of my shoulder.  I decided to see a physical therapist and get my shoulder checked out, and it turns out it was weakened from years of lifting/rehabbing incorrectly.  Once I started doing the exercises the PT showed me, I could instantly throw further and with significantly more velocity.  Believing that I could still accomplish my dream, I reached out to Coach Trickey and we started working together.  I hope to show that all the hard work I have put in with him has paid off, and that I belong as a quarterback, the way I always dreamed it would be! 

What was your Major?

I majored in Political Science and minored in Psychology.  I wanted to learn more about why people think and believe the way they do, and found the topics covered in my classes to be very interesting and informative.  I definitely have a less judgmental view of people and have learned to be more open-minded than I was before I graduated from college.

Who is or has been the most influential person in your life?

My wife Courtney and my good friend Luke (who I mentioned earlier) have both been amazing and supportive in this whole process.  They have encouraged me not to give up and have been there for me every step of the way.  Courtney is a nurse and inspires me every day with how she can be so resilient in such tough situations.  Luke has taken time to work with me on a regular basis on football specific drills, while giving me both praise and constructive criticism.  

If not football, then what?

I plan to give football everything I have and try everything possible to succeed! If I try everything and it doesn’t work out, I’ll cross that bridge if or when I come to it.  I work in the strength and conditioning industry currently, so continuing in that field would be most likely.

If you could make a positive impact on all of society what would it be and why?

I’ve seen way too many people give up on their dreams or talk themselves out of something because they think they aren’t good enough.  If I could talk more people into going after their dreams, working hard and trying everything possible to succeed, I think we’d see a lot more dreams come true!  I would like to succeed at making it as a professional quarterback so that people could see that I accomplished my dream despite the odds being against me, and help them realize that their dreams are possible too (especially kids in youth sports today who think they aren’t good enough)!

What is something unique about you that people would find interesting?

That I never give up, no matter how strong the odds are against me!  

If you had the opportunity to play another sport professionally, what sport would you choose?

Basketball.  Aside from football, the most exciting feeling in sports is throwing down a dunk!

Are you involved in mentoring, a charity or do you “give back” or ”pay it forward” in your community?

I work as a trainer at 9Round Kickboxing Fitness.  My way of paying it back is because I have the gift of athleticism and motivation, I like to use it to help others accomplish their fitness goals and help them feel more confidence in themselves.