Expert: Thom Brooks - 10/17/2007

Question
I live in parma ohio.  my stats as of now--- 6ft 1- bodybuilder build.  276 pounds and i run a 4.7 digital timed 40. I Can squat 610 pounds, bench 385, muscle endurance is high. I played football for 3 years for my high school before blowing out my knee(meniscus tear-complete meniscus -take out)
i should've taken senior year off and went to play college ball, but i got the professional wrestling bug.  i'm 21 now, and after a decision thats been bugging me for a while, I need to play again.  I played quarterback my first season, then i bulked up 50 pounds and was an outstanding linebacker/fullback.  I don't know where to look because i've been off the radar for 2 years?  I've been told to go try out for afl, afl2,  Division 1.

I really need some help.  I'm doubting myself about remembering every single thing about being on the field, but I just need to get out there...

i played 1 season of semi- pro ball which , in my mind.. was  complete and utter joke...  and it just didn't have a feel. Could this hurt me at all trying to play college football?  I never accepted any sort of money.

If theres anyone out there that can contact me?  player, coach, anyone.  my myspace is

www.myspace.com/runninsh*tsince86

the * is actually an i .  on there i have pictures of my physique, all though, you can't tell a good ball player from  a physique.

Answer
Ralph, Good Morning!

You have the physical assets.  You have the experience.  Your confidence will return as soon as you get set up on a team, but the moment you take the first hit, you will be back in the game!

Your one year of Semi Pro ball could exclude you from college competition.  The NCAA has to make a ruling on that and they need to know you were NOT PAID.  You would be wise to address that first.

When you determine which college you seek to play for, you will then need to show them all of the medical records on your knee's recovery.  Your weightlifting and size indicates you would be a tremendous FB or DL man.  The Coaches will evaluate your speed and quickness.  Can you turn on the knee without pain?  

If you make a decision to play college ball and have done the required red tape paper works, then you will be a tremendous asset to a team.  You live close enough to some awesome Ohio/Kentucky schools in Div-1, Div-II and Division III.  I'm positive some of them would be honored to have you play for them.  Make contact with all of them quickly.  They will tell you their standards.

Keep me posted!  I'd love to follow your career.  You sound like a great competitor!

Thom Brooks
Savannah, Georgia