Expert: Thom Brooks - 4/30/2008

Question
hello
my name is Jorge I'm a 6'3'' 315 pound offensive guard I've offers to tryout at Utah state and Marshall but also have offers to play and start in D2 schools and NAIA schools i bench around 355 and squat 495 and ran a 5.4 but I'm unsure on what to do i know I'm good enough for d2 and NAIA schools but nervous to go tryout at a d1 school and fail i fear i'm not the d1 strength and size yet but i know due to my sense loyalty to a school i meant not transfer if i make the lower division schools what should i do

Answer
Jorge, hello!

You need to follow your dream.  You should try out for the Div-1 school of your choice.  Your size and stats appear strong enough to get the attention of Utes and Thundering Herd, so you should have extreme confidence in your ability.  You are going to get better, but if you play for D-2 or NAIA, you will still have great memories, and can even make it to the Pros if you keep improving.  But, the question is............. Will you always wonder if you could have been a D-1 player?  So, do it!

Write down on a piece of paper, the pros and cons.  What do you have to gain, what do you have to lose.  Write down every positive and negative side you can think of.  What about the city and state?  Where would you be happiest?  What is your degree pointing towards when Football is over?  Where can you play ball but still get the best education for you and that future family?  

Where will your friends be playing?  Can you adjust to a new town?
If you got injured, and Football was over, what will you do next?

You are going to have an incredible life so get fired up and go for the Gold !!

Take care,

Thom Brooks