Q.) So, you just graduated in December as a 2nd Lieutenant from the United States Air Force Academy, finished your college football career in a bowl game, and are taking a logistics position at MacDill Air Force Base in the Tampa, Florida area. While that is all very exciting, I really just want to know if you will be driving a Sea Doo to work every morning like your father said.
A.) Nothing is out of the question (Laughing)... Although I would love to do this, I'm not quite sure it's my best idea. But it is a done deal that most days after work I will have a jet ski to be on and take around.
Q.) I know that you have expressed interest in playing in the NFL. Where do you go from here? Pro day, agents, try-out's, the whole nine-yards?
A.) From here, I continue to get my body right and when I get settled down in Tampa I will reach out to work with people. This will include getting bigger, stronger, faster, as well as learning the new position of slot receiver. I will need a lot of time to run routes and catch balls.
Q.) The rigorous schedule at Air Force can be grueling for even the most disciplined student-athletes. Was there ever a time that you wanted to quit, and if so what drove you not to?
A.) Many times I wanted to quit and come home or go somewhere else. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and I just kept getting reasons that made me stay. I also knew that football will one day end and the Academy is a good stepping stone in the direction of where I want to end up in life. The people I knew and met were also huge contributors to the reasons I stayed.
Q.) I'm sure some of our younger readers (ok, me too) would like to know if you have ever flown a fighter jet? If so, which one(s)?
A.) Wish I could say that I did, but no. I have only flown in gliders out at the Academy. Although they are only gliders, you do still catch G's in them in a free fall.
Q.) Growing up with a grandfather that served in WWII we always watched the service games, but I caught myself watching more Air Force games this season than <cough> Ohio State games. Aside from wanting to watch you play I appreciate the pageantry, passion and pride that go into the service football games. What was your favorite aspect of the service games that you have played in?
A.) My favorite aspect would have to be that they were always unbelievably competitive games. No matter the score or outcome, every player for each team was out to play their best and hit as hard as they could. It was a brotherhood vs. brotherhood type game, and what I loved so much was that it was much more than just a football game to so many people.
Q.) You and your teammates won the Commander-in-Chief's trophy twice during your career at Air Force. I imagine you and the President are good friends by now. Did you have an opportunity to personally meet him and what was that experience like?
A.) I did have the opportunity to meet the President. However those trophy presentations are pretty short so I was only able to shake his hand and say a brief thank you. It was unforgettable to be in the White House and having the President an arm’s length away talking about your team.
Q.) How do you feel that Hilliard football has prepared you for where you are today?
A.) It prepared me immensely. My coaches and type of competition I played here while I was a Wildcat allowed me learn how to handle pressure, play in big time games. On top of this, going through the Davidson program I grew so much physically, and mentally in concern with the game. Coach White also made us all pretty tough which I am grateful for. With all this said, my father is still the one I learned most of what I know about the game, and he single handedly prepared me the most for where I am today.
Q.) Tell me about the Hilliard Optimist Dolphins dynasty. Who in the world thought that roster (Connor, Bo DeLande, Clay Trubiano, etc) was fair to the rest of the league, and
do you have a favorite story from your time in Optimist?
A.) The Dolphin dynasty was so awesome to be a part of (laughing). We were able to put together a bunch of guys and make some unforgettable youth teams. Along with all of our great players including Clay and Bo, our dad's and coaches were really who took
us to the next level. They put all the right players in the right positions and gave us schemes that would seem impossible to use in youth football. My favorite story would have to just be playing all those games with my best friends, playing offense, defense everything.
Q.) What is your favorite Hilliard football memory, excluding your state championship?
A.) I would have to say leading into our junior year because there was so
much hype and anticipation, such as winning against (nationally ranked) St. Joes in Herbstreit Classic. Also, I would have to say scoring my first touchdowns in our homecoming game my sophomore year. Scoring in that game, in front of a huge home crowd and that feeling of being on cloud 9 was amazing.
Q.) If you could give any advice to the current Hilliard Davidson football team what would it be?
A.) I would just have to say you should never let your best day be behind you. Find out who you are as a player and person, decide where you want to be and then get there by any means necessary. There is no magic formula for success in HS football, work hard and be great at what you do as a program. And lastly, enjoy every minute of it. To this day, HS football is some of my best memories!
A.) Nothing is out of the question (Laughing)... Although I would love to do this, I'm not quite sure it's my best idea. But it is a done deal that most days after work I will have a jet ski to be on and take around.
Q.) I know that you have expressed interest in playing in the NFL. Where do you go from here? Pro day, agents, try-out's, the whole nine-yards?
A.) From here, I continue to get my body right and when I get settled down in Tampa I will reach out to work with people. This will include getting bigger, stronger, faster, as well as learning the new position of slot receiver. I will need a lot of time to run routes and catch balls.
Q.) The rigorous schedule at Air Force can be grueling for even the most disciplined student-athletes. Was there ever a time that you wanted to quit, and if so what drove you not to?
A.) Many times I wanted to quit and come home or go somewhere else. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and I just kept getting reasons that made me stay. I also knew that football will one day end and the Academy is a good stepping stone in the direction of where I want to end up in life. The people I knew and met were also huge contributors to the reasons I stayed.
Q.) I'm sure some of our younger readers (ok, me too) would like to know if you have ever flown a fighter jet? If so, which one(s)?
A.) Wish I could say that I did, but no. I have only flown in gliders out at the Academy. Although they are only gliders, you do still catch G's in them in a free fall.
Q.) Growing up with a grandfather that served in WWII we always watched the service games, but I caught myself watching more Air Force games this season than <cough> Ohio State games. Aside from wanting to watch you play I appreciate the pageantry, passion and pride that go into the service football games. What was your favorite aspect of the service games that you have played in?
A.) My favorite aspect would have to be that they were always unbelievably competitive games. No matter the score or outcome, every player for each team was out to play their best and hit as hard as they could. It was a brotherhood vs. brotherhood type game, and what I loved so much was that it was much more than just a football game to so many people.
Q.) You and your teammates won the Commander-in-Chief's trophy twice during your career at Air Force. I imagine you and the President are good friends by now. Did you have an opportunity to personally meet him and what was that experience like?
A.) I did have the opportunity to meet the President. However those trophy presentations are pretty short so I was only able to shake his hand and say a brief thank you. It was unforgettable to be in the White House and having the President an arm’s length away talking about your team.
Q.) How do you feel that Hilliard football has prepared you for where you are today?
A.) It prepared me immensely. My coaches and type of competition I played here while I was a Wildcat allowed me learn how to handle pressure, play in big time games. On top of this, going through the Davidson program I grew so much physically, and mentally in concern with the game. Coach White also made us all pretty tough which I am grateful for. With all this said, my father is still the one I learned most of what I know about the game, and he single handedly prepared me the most for where I am today.
Q.) Tell me about the Hilliard Optimist Dolphins dynasty. Who in the world thought that roster (Connor, Bo DeLande, Clay Trubiano, etc) was fair to the rest of the league, and
do you have a favorite story from your time in Optimist?
A.) The Dolphin dynasty was so awesome to be a part of (laughing). We were able to put together a bunch of guys and make some unforgettable youth teams. Along with all of our great players including Clay and Bo, our dad's and coaches were really who took
us to the next level. They put all the right players in the right positions and gave us schemes that would seem impossible to use in youth football. My favorite story would have to just be playing all those games with my best friends, playing offense, defense everything.
Q.) What is your favorite Hilliard football memory, excluding your state championship?
A.) I would have to say leading into our junior year because there was so
much hype and anticipation, such as winning against (nationally ranked) St. Joes in Herbstreit Classic. Also, I would have to say scoring my first touchdowns in our homecoming game my sophomore year. Scoring in that game, in front of a huge home crowd and that feeling of being on cloud 9 was amazing.
Q.) If you could give any advice to the current Hilliard Davidson football team what would it be?
A.) I would just have to say you should never let your best day be behind you. Find out who you are as a player and person, decide where you want to be and then get there by any means necessary. There is no magic formula for success in HS football, work hard and be great at what you do as a program. And lastly, enjoy every minute of it. To this day, HS football is some of my best memories!