Josh Gibson: What's up guys? Josh, from Athletic preparation. We just wanted to get a panel of some of our college football guys, going through their first year of football, and simply just ... They were kind enough to share a little bit about their experience of going from high school ... You know? Football player, to a freshman in college, and what that whole transition has been like, and kind of starting from the beginning. So, it's just a simple open discussion for you guys.

Josh Gibson: But first I want to start off basically just talk about where you were, or what school you went to. You know? What position you played, all that fun stuff, and where you go to school now. And then we'll just kind of talk about the recruiting process, and go from there. So, let's just go from my left to right over here.

Reece McConnell:           00:33

All right. So, I'm Reese McConnell. I went to Oakland Christian High School, in Auburn Hills, Michigan. I played football there on varsity, for four years. I started all four years. And I played right guard, middle linebacker, defensive tackle, and full back.             

Josh Siminski:                  00:52

 I'm Josh Siminski. I went to Oakland Christian in Auburn Hills, as well. And, I played quarterback there. Now, I'm at Concordia University, in Ann Arbor.

Griffin Sheposh:              01:01                  

I'm Griffin Sheposh. And I'm from St. Mary's Prep, in Orchard Lake, Michigan. I play safety. And out of high school, I went to Ashland University. And, I just transferred to Wayne State.

Josh Gibson:                    01:12                  

Awesome. Cool. So, all you guys are actually playing ball in college. So, what's some of the ... We're gonna start with like some of the biggest questions you get. So, you know? Let's take it back to real quick of being in high school, and whichever high school kids, or most of the kids want. They want to know, "How do I get recruited? How do I get my name out there?" So where do you guys really feel like that starts for you guys, 'cause I'm assuming you guys are all starters obviously. So it's like Number One is like, "Be a great teammate, and be a starter where you are right now." Right? So ...

Griffin Sheposh:              01:38                  

Basically the most important part when you're in freshman year is just to work as hard as you can, to ... You might start out freshman, or whatever. But then, work as hard as you can to get on varsity as soon as possible.

Griffin Sheposh:              01:50                  

And then once you get on varsity, just keep working until you get meaningful reps. That way you can get your highlights out there, and keep improving from year to year.

Josh Gibson:                    01:59                  

Okay. Cool. So Step One would basically be, be a starter as quick as possible? Right? And then, so when that recruiting process ... I guess, where do you feel like you guys ...? Or, how did that start for you guys? Did you start kind of wanting to start getting recruited, like as a sophomore, junior, senior? Like, when did that ... You know? What timeframe, did that start happening?

Josh Gibson:                    02:17                  

And like kind of, what actual steps did you guys start doing? Like, did you go to camps? Did you just start emailing coaches, you know cold? You know? How did that whole process start going? Like, what were your parents doing, and stuff like that? And ... Or, were coaches telling you like, "Hey. You should go to this camp and like ..." Or, "Send your ... You know your highlights to these coaches." Like, how'd that all ... process? Like ...

Reece McConnell:           02:36                  

 Well for me it was going into my junior year, that I decided that I wanted to play college. And, I kind of just decided. So my first step was like, "Man. I need to get in college football shape. So, I just looked online for trainers in the area. I found Josh. And, it's been ... I've been here for two years, ever since. And, he's gotten me to be able to play college ball.

Reece McConnell:           02:56                  

But, getting to that point though? I would say it's definitely start your junior year, as soon as possible. Just get your name out there, whether it' cold ... Like calling coaches, or emailing coaches, or going to like recruitment stuff, especially going to camps, anything like that just to get your name out, and get coaches eyes on you, I would say.

Josh Siminski:                  03:18                  

Yeah. I would also say like don't spend money on a recruiting website, or like a recruiter. Like, do it yourself. Like it's a lot more meaningful for coaches, if you're reaching out to them like by email, text. Also, use like Twitter to your benefit. Like, put highlights in there. Like, you can DM coaches through Twitter.

Josh Siminski:                  03:40                  

And then like after you like communicate with them via text, or Twitter, or whatever? Also schedule a visit, so you can get some face time with them. So that way, they can put a name to the face.

Josh Siminski:                  03:54                  

 And then, just like keep up to date with them. Don't just like text 'em once, and then take a visit, and then just like fall off, 'cause there's gonna be a next kid up, that wants it. And, you've gotta take that spot.

Josh Gibson:                    04:08                  

 Yeah. I think that's a great part too is like, it's not just once or twice. It's not gonna happen just once. But like you have to add like followup, because these coaches are getting like hundreds or thousands of messages you know, from a bunch of kids just like you. So, they're gonna forget you really fast. So, you have to take that, be proactive, and show that interest of like, "Hey. I really like this program, and really want to go to your ..." And like, you know? That's gonna ... You're gonna stand out easily, just by doing that. You know? You're being proactive.

Reece McConnell:           04:30                   That's all they do all day, is look at other kids.

Josh Gibson:                    04:33                   Yeah.

Reece McConnell:           04:34                   I mean that's all they do, all day.

Josh Gibson:                    04:36                   Yeah. And then, there's just only so many spots.

Reece McConnell:           04:38                   You've got that. And then, you've got that little window.

Josh Gibson:                    04:40                   Cool. Anything else you want to add to that, Mr. Griff?

Griffin Sheposh:              04:43                  

I mean touching on what he said about not using a recruiting coordinator, there's a lot that are just kind of money grabbers. But if you get specifically ... Like in our area I went through Reggie Wynns with Rising Stars, and he was great for me because he has a bunch of connections that me and my parents, we wouldn't have without him.

Griffin Sheposh:              05:01                  

So he was able to call all these coaches, and they know him, and he has a good reputation of putting kids in college and having them succeed. So someone like that, or getting close with your high school coach. If your high school coach sees you like getting back to working hard? If your high school coach sees you in the weight room every day, and you're asking him constantly to set you up with some coach, and say you'll go visit? Then, he'll be more than likely to stick his neck out for you.

Josh Siminski:                  05:24                  

Yeah. Like if you can reach out to a seven-on-seven team and play with them, or like a trainer like Rising Stars, or Midwest Elite, or The D-Zone, or something like that, then definitely do it. But, don't go searching online for a guy out in the middle of nowhere, like just online that's gonna try to set up stuff online, when you can just do it yourself.

Josh Siminski:                  05:51                   

Like if you're gonna like go through somebody, like make sure you know the person whether it's in high school or a seven-on-seven coach, or just like a trainer, or whatever.

Josh Gibson:                    06:03                  

If you guys had to pick per se one like thing that was most impactful for you like during the recruiting process, and that whole time of trying to get exposure, and you know get your face out there type of thing to coaches? If you had to pick just that one thing that you feel was the most impactful or beneficial for you, what would that have been? You've just gotta pick one.

Griffin Sheposh:              06:22                   I would say camps.

Reece McConnell:           06:23                   Yeah.

Josh Gibson:                    06:24                   Like which kind of camps though, like specifically?

Griffin Sheposh:              06:26                  

I would ... Well I started my recruiting late, because baseball or whatever. But I went to a couple Rising Stars ones and immediately there, coaches come up to you, and pick up offers. And then once you get one offer, and then people start to know about it, then you know? Things kind of fall in line. So I would say camps, for sure.

Reece McConnell:           06:42                  

I mean I went to my first camp, at Kentucky Christian. And I mean, I got offered right at the camp, like from the head coach, right like that. So I'd say definitely if you can, go to the camps.

Reece McConnell:           06:54                  

And then besides camps, I would say keeping your Huddle updated, and being able to send quality emails with your Huddle link to these coaches, 'cause if ... I mean, it's all about your film. So keeping that updated, is important.

Reece McConnell:           07:06                  

And, you kind of have to be a pain sometimes. And, you've gotta constantly send it to them. You've got to be kind of annoying about it sometimes, so that they remember your name over time. 'Cause they will forget it, 'cause they go through so many kids every single day.

Josh Siminski:                  07:18                  

Yeah. Like definitely go to like school-specific camps, like get a couple target schools that you like really think that you can play at. And then like, a few ones that might be above. But if you like stay on it, and like keep reaching out, like you can get there.

Josh Siminski:                  07:36                  

 And then like once you go to those camps and it's all gone, like don't just get in your car and go home. Like stay for a little bit, talk with coaches, like get some phone numbers, some emails, that sort of thing.

Josh Siminski:                  07:49                  

And then like within the next couple of days, like follow up with 'em, and like don't wait til a month down the road when it's almost National Signing Day, to like reach out and try to get a last minute offer.

Griffin Sheposh:              08:02                   Even if you're just thanking 'em for their time.

Josh Siminski:                  08:04                   Yeah.

Reece McConnell:           08:05                   Yeah! Oh!

Josh Siminski:                  08:05                   Exactly. Like, it means a lot to them.

Reece McConnell:           08:07                   Every little thing. Every little thing matters.

Josh Siminski:                  08:09                   Yeah.

Josh Gibson:                    08:10                   Yeah. So, go ahead.

Reece McConnell:           08:12                   Oh I was just saying, just a simple handshake thanking 'em, is more face time for them to see you.

Josh Siminski:                  08:16                   Exactly.

Reece McConnell:           08:16                   Just more of you in their face, which is what you need to increase your chances.

Josh Gibson:                    08:21                   

Yeah. So it all comes down it sounds like to obviously developing those relationships, and just being a good human being. So like having a good handshake, like coming in with good posture. You know? All those positive messages, that you can send to somebody.

Josh Gibson:                    08:32                  

And, even if you know a little bit about the coach. Like it sounds strange but like if you know a little bit about their family, like they're gonna be excited that you know their ... If you have the kids name, or whatever it is. You know what I mean? Or like, a little bit to go above and beyond that.

Josh Gibson:                    08:42                  

Again just showing interest in them as an individual, and them as a program. And, you know? It's more than just, "Hey. I just want to play football. Give. Give. Give." You know? Like, you need to come with a giving hand to them. And, I know that sounds weird.

Griffin Sheposh:              08:53                   

And be confident, when you're approaching them... 'cause they're not gonna want a kid, who's so like timid. And he's got their dad coming up like saying 'hi', or whatever. They're gonna want a kid who can come up, like speak clearly, and a firm handshake, and ... 'Cause that's the type of kid that's gonna produce on the field, a kid that's confident.

Reece McConnell:           09:11                   Yep. Definitely.

Josh Gibson:                    09:12                  

So, being confident? You know? All those little basic stuff. So, cool. So camps was the biggest thing for you know, kind of if you had to pick that one thing.

Josh Siminski:                  09:21                   Yeah. It's like the break through point.

Reece McConnell:           09:22                   Yeah. For sure.

Josh Gibson:                    09:22                  

So, now let's talk about transitioning. So, we've got the recruiting process going a little bit. So now, let's take this up further. I guess what is your thought process, going in ... You know? Say the month before leaving high school, and going into college now? Like, your month before actually enrolling in college? Like, are you guys a little bit nervous? You might hear stories of like you know, camp is really intense, and crazy, and hard. You know? Like so I guess, what were you guys thinking like a you know, a month or two weeks in, right before you leave?

Reece McConnell:           09:50                  

Yeah. Well for me, I know it was definitely very exciting, 'cause I'm always excited to get back to football around that time of year. Definitely ... I wouldn't say I was like overly nervous. But, there's definitely a little bit of a timidness there, for sure. It's a new experience, a whole new thing. I mean, I'm moving to a new area, stuff like that. But, as far ... I was just more excited, than anything. But as far as camp goes, it's as bad as they say it is, in a good way. Like, it really is the test, to see who wants to play football or not. It's really what it comes down to. So the whole point of camp in college, is to like wean out the people that don't want to play football, basically

Josh Siminski:                  10:28                  

Yeah. Like honestly if you can survive through camp, you're all set. Like in camp, be prepared to wake up at 7:00 a.m., go to meetings, eat breakfast, go to practice, take a short break, go to another practice, lift, and meetings all the way to like 11:00 at night. That's for about two weeks straight. And then after that, it kind of eases up. Like you'll still have film sessions, you'll still have to wake up early occasionally, meetings late at night. But we had like ... Like once you get through camp, it eases up. So, just like stay strong through camp. And be prepared to like not get much sleep, and to actually have to work, 'cause it is a giant workload.

Reece McConnell:           11:16                   We had like 15 guys quit, or something like that.

Josh Gibson:                    11:19                   Did you?

Josh Siminski:                  11:20                   Yeah. Like very first day, two.

Reece McConnell:           11:22                   Yeah. Very first day, two people quit.

Josh Siminski:                  11:24                   Yeah. Like ...

Josh Gibson:                    11:26                   Those are people, who got offers too?

Reece McConnell:           11:27                   Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Full scholarship offers, yeah.

Josh Gibson:                    11:31                   

And, I know you had the experience of like ... 'Cause Griffin over here, had these guys. So, you had an experience of saying "Oh. Camp's gonna kind of suck, or really test your will to want to play," type of thing. And, you didn't really believe that.

Reece McConnell:           11:42                  

Yeah. I was like, "Okay. Whatever." I mean, I've seen some pretty ... Or, you know? I've done enough football and conditioning in my life to ...

Josh Gibson:                    11:47                   I think I've done that.

Reece McConnell:           11:48                   "I think I've done it." But then you get there, and ...

Griffin Sheposh:              11:49                   And, it's not even the physical part, during camp.

Reece McConnell:           11:53                   Oh. It's all mental.

Griffin Sheposh:              11:55                   'Cause the physical part's easy.

Reece McConnell:           11:55                   The physical part's the easiest thing. It's all mental, 100 percent mental, 100 percent mental.

Josh Gibson:                    11:59                   Awesome.

Reece McConnell:           12:00                  

'Cause it's the willpower to get up at 6:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m., and then go and football, football, football, football 'til 11:00 p.m. at night, every single day.

Griffin Sheposh:              12:07                   'Til you're sick of it.

Reece McConnell:           12:07                   Yeah. Pretty much.

Josh Gibson:                    12:08                   Do you want to add anything to that? Like, whether ... you know?

Griffin Sheposh:              12:11                  

Oh, I mean ... 'Cause like in the camp, just I mean the biggest shock to me, was probably ... 'Cause I was big fish, in a little pond in high school, best player, or not best player. But, one of the better players on our team, one of the better players in the area.

Griffin Sheposh:              12:23                  

Then you get to college, you're like thinking, "Man. I'm gonna come in here. I'm gonna start. And everyone's gonna ..." Whatever. "Respect me." And then first day, you get to meetings, and they have the depth chart written out, and you're fifth or sixth guy on the depth chart. And you're looking at these guys going, "Damn. These guys are like 23, way better than me, way faster than me."

Griffin Sheposh:              12:43                  

And then, that ... I guess the training point there, is you can either use it as like a motivating factor. Like, "Oh. That's were I want to be at such and such time." Or you can be like, you know? "This isn't for me."

Griffin Sheposh:              12:54                   So I guess, just pick the first option.

Josh Gibson:                    12:58                  

So, it's kind of easy to get to that spot per se in high school. You know what I mean? But now, you've mostly come in thinking you're expecting that position. You know? But now you have to really like humble yourself, and be humble.

Griffin Sheposh:              13:09                   Yeah. 'Cause that's basically ... Like, how many athletes are like truly special, like truly above.

Reece McConnell:           13:13                   Yeah. Everybody's just like you, once you get there. I mean, everybody was one of the best players on their team.

Griffin Sheposh:              13:17                  

Yeah. I thought I was a pretty good athlete in high school. And then across the country, there are thousands of other, millions of me. So like, it just ... What can you do to separate yourself, once you get there?

Reece McConnell:           13:26                   Yeah.

Josh Gibson:                    13:26                   About being different.

Griffin Sheposh:              13:27                   Yeah. Right.

Josh Gibson:                    13:28                   Cool. So, camp was pretty intense. Camp was draining. "We're gonna test your will to play football." So, now ...

Griffin Sheposh:              13:33                   But it's fun at the same time, too.

Reece McConnell:           13:35                   Oh, yeah! Yeah!

Griffin Sheposh:              13:36                   I feel like we should've touched on that, because we just kind of made it sound so shitty.

Reece McConnell:           13:42                   Is that the point though, is to keep it real with them though?

Josh Gibson:                    13:43                   Yes! That's being honest.

Griffin Sheposh:              13:44                   But, I enjoyed camp.

Reece McConnell:           13:45                  

Oh, I enjoy it too. It's just like they do gotta know, though. Like, it's gonna suck. Like, it's gonna suck at points.

Griffin Sheposh:              13:50                   Yeah.

Reece McConnell:           13:50                   But, it's like ... it just is, dude. It just is.

Josh Gibson:                    13:53                   It's like the whole, "Embrace the process."

Reece McConnell:           13:54                   Yeah.

Josh Gibson:                    13:54                   This is the process. And, you're gonna go through it.

Reece McConnell:           13:56                   I will say, it makes your victories much sweeter.

Josh Gibson:                    13:59                   Exactly.

Griffin Sheposh:              13:59                   Once you accept it, you're like, "Damn. This is ..."

Reece McConnell:           14:03                  

Yeah. If you accept ... If you get behind the program, it becomes so much easier. Even though it sucks ... But, once you're-

Griffin Sheposh:              14:08                  

But, I don't know ... Like when you guys got there, within a week did you guys have like some of your best friends through camp?

Reece McConnell:           14:14                   Yeah. Pretty close.

Griffin Sheposh:              14:14                 

Yeah. It brings you all like so close. For sure. For sure. In high school, I had friends like that. And like, I didn't know them, as well as I knew ...

Reece McConnell:           14:22                   Yeah. But, these are all new guys.

Griffin Sheposh:              14:23                   Yeah. Yeah. That's why it's fun, too.

Josh Gibson:                    14:24                   Yeah. So, the suckiness brings you guys together.

Reece McConnell:           14:27                   Oh, yeah.

Josh Gibson:                    14:27                   'Cause it forms those bonds.

Reece McConnell:           14:28                  

And, it helps ... That's the mental thing too, 'cause you all have to go through it. You're not on your own. You're all going through it, as a team.

Griffin Sheposh:              14:33                  

Yeah. If I don't want to wake up, I've got someone at my door like, "Griff? Get your ass up," or something like that.

Reece McConnell:           14:37                   Yeah.

Josh Gibson:                    14:37                  

 All right. So let's talk about football, a little bit more. So I guess, how has it evolved? And, how is it different, going from high school to college? Like, you know? The play ... Like the play books, I'm sure is a lot more you know? Football specific plays?

Josh Gibson:                    14:50                  

How is the competition, from the guys? You know what I mean? Like, is the game ...? Everyone talks about the game being faster of course. So like, let's talk about like stuff like that, of like ... You know? How's football different from high school? From going from high school, to college?

Josh Siminski:                  15:03                  

Yeah. Like, you'll get there. And about a week in, you'll realize, "I've barely learned anything, in high school." And like, "This is totally foreign to me." Like, you have to learn a playbook with like 150/200 plays, 30 different formations, different motions. And, this is just for offense.

Josh Siminski:                  15:23                  

And then, you'll have to like learn the signals that go with each one. And like as a quarterback, like you're responsible for everybody else on the field. And like you've gotta know other people's jobs, as well as your own. So, that's coming from the quarterback perspective.

Josh Siminski:                  15:40                  

And then like, that's just like personal. Like once you get out on the field, like the speed, the size, the strength. Just like everybody's bigger, faster, stronger, than high school. And like, you might think like you're strong, your fast now. But once you actually get there, like out on the field? Then you just realize how good everybody is, and why it is so hard to get playing time. And, just to come in there and try to tear it up, like during camp.

Josh Siminski:                  16:11                  

But I would say one suggestion is, like to come in and make an impact? Be a leader. Like, encourage others. Be confident. Get in the play book. All that sort of thing.

Reece McConnell:           16:23                   Vocal, vocal.

Josh Siminski:                  16:24                   Yeah, vocal. Like, coaches notice that stuff.

Josh Siminski:                  16:26                  

If you're in the playbook, and you know what you're doing, and if you're vocal and encouraging others, or just making sure others know what they're doing out there.

Josh Gibson:                    16:35                   And, that's the thing too. Like you're saying, you can't be that vocal leader, or knowledgeable leader, unless you're taking care of stuff on your own.

Reece McConnell:           16:40                   Yeah. You've gotta know your stuff, first.

Josh Siminski:                  16:44                   That's why you've gotta get in the playbook, first thing.

Josh Gibson:                    16:46                   How about you guys? I don't wanna ...

Reece McConnell:           16:48                  

Yeah. Well for me, just like to feed back off of him. Like, when you first get there and they start spewing out ... Like for me (I've been a linebacker), all these defensive coverages? Like, I never drop back I don't think, for a single pass point in my life in high school. And now, I have like 10 different packages that I've gotta know, with so many different pass routes in it.

Reece McConnell:           17:08                  

So like, it's a whole ... Like, you think you know something about your sport. And you think like in high school, like, "Oh, yeah. I know this." Like, "This is football."

Reece McConnell:           17:14                  

But then you really do become a student of the game once you get into college, because it literally becomes like another clasp per se, like when you're actually learning from your coaches. And you'll find that if they're a good coach, they're very knowledgeable. And they hopefully can teach you well, 'cause it can get tough for sure.

Josh Gibson:                    17:31                  

So, what are some things ... Like just from managing yourself, 'cause you were kind of talking about like being in the playbook, being a leader. But like, you know? Probably in high school, a lot of guys as I said, trained you guys. So like, you know? In high school, you think you're busy. You think you're training. You think you're this. You think you're that.

Josh Gibson:                    17:45                  

But like obviously when you take that next step and go to college, you all realize like you guys are kind of Bsing. And like, you know? Now, you're actually busy. Now, you're actually working hard, compared to like what you were. And, you know? What you thought you were, right? You just have a new capability, that you can do.

Josh Gibson:                    18:00                  

So, I guess talk about that. Like, what you ... You know? The biggest change? Or like, you know? Being much more time conscious, and like you know? Scheduling out your days, and stuff like that? Really blocking your schedule out, to organize yourself. And so that way you can be efficient, and take care of business.

Josh Gibson:                    18:15                  

So what are some biggest changes you guys made, to make that easier for you? You know what I mean? So like setting your schedule, or whatever that is? Planning out your day?

Griffin Sheposh:              18:24                  

I mean like, it's really a grind because I mean, you might have weight set 6:00 a.m. Then you have class until whatever, 1:00 p.m. And then, you've got meetings until 3:00. And then, you're out at practice until 5:30. Then, you've got to have study times from 7:00 to 9:00. So really in between all that, you've gotta find the time to get all your studies done. You've gotta get your sleep. And you've gotta find time to eat because I mean if you've burned all those calories, you're not gonna eat.

Griffin Sheposh:              18:51                   Like, I remember my freshman year I lost like 10 pounds during the season, just 'cause I was like doing all this stuff.

Reece McConnell:           18:56                   You'll forget to eat sometimes You'll forget to eat.

Griffin Sheposh:              18:58                  

And, I was like, "Do I wanna sleep, or do I wanna eat?" And, I always chose sleep. But I guess the most important thing for me, is now like being ... I've done it a couple years. Now, I'm like getting more successful as to ... It might not be for everybody. But I like to sit down a week in advance, and sit down and do my whole schedule for everyday, like as blocked into hours, so I'll have ... Like, "I've gotta eat at this time. I've gotta nap at this time. I've gotta do homework from this to that." And, I like to schedule ... I mean, almost like a ridiculous amount of scheduling, just so I know exactly where I need to be, and what I need to be doing at a specific time.

Josh Gibson:                    19:36                   Over plan.

Griffin Sheposh:              19:36                   Yeah, over plan rather than like ...

Reece McConnell:           19:38                   Oh. Definitely over planning. Definitely over planning.

Josh Siminski:                  19:41                  

Yeah. Like the only free time you're gonna get, is in between classes during the football season. And, that might be like 20 minutes. It might be an hour. So, you have to use that time wisely. Like use it to eat, or to study, or get ahead on your homework. Or like finish project early, 'cause it's tough in football season to like try to cram stuff in last minute. Like, you can't procrastinate in college, if you want to be a football player, if you want to be a student athlete.

Josh Gibson:                    20:11                  

So, it's been a ton of work. But at the same time, you guys wouldn't trade that experience for anything. So, is it still worth it to you? And like, you know? Talk about like a little bit of that experience of you know, why you feel it's worth it, and yeah. That kind of impacts, that kind of gives you an experience you need to have.

Reece McConnell:           20:28                  

Yeah. It's ... Okay. So like, camp sucks and everything. Don't get me wrong. Like, it's not fun running. Like, don't get me wrong. Like, and there's a lot of it. But like when you're struggling with like your brothers which are your teammates, like you're already gonna make ... Like, those guys are gonna be the best friends, for the rest of your life. 'Cause you're on a football team. You're gonna be going with them to college for four years. You guys are gonna be tight.

Reece McConnell:           20:49                  

And when you're struggling with them through all those conditionings stuff, like it makes those like victories in the season so much sweeter, and so much more worth it. And, it's just hard to describe. Like, you have to experience it to like, to do it. Like, 'cause you really put in a lot of work. And to see reaping what you sow, is pretty nice for sure.

Josh Gibson:                    21:09                   'Cause it's earned, right?

Reece McConnell:           21:10                   It's earned. Every bit of it's earned. You have to earn every single bit of it.

Josh Siminski:                  21:14                  

And like a quick recap, be proactive in recruiting, don't procrastinate when it comes to school, and just try to be a leader on the field. Like, 'cause you're probably not gonna get a ton of reps, being a freshman. Just being real. So you have to do the small things, that the coaches notice. So maybe next year is your year, 'cause you're gonna work hard in the off season, so you can come back. And then, you'll already have know the play book. So, you'll be one step ahead of the guys coming in. So, you've just gotta get to work.

Josh Gibson:                    21:46                   So, just keep laying those bricks. Keep building on that.

Josh Siminski:                  21:49                   Yep.

Reece McConnell:           21:50                   Yep. Be proactive. Always be proactive in making yourself better, both in school and in football, for sure.

Griffin Sheposh:              21:55                  

 Yep. And then I would say, yeah. It's definitely worth it for me. Probably the thing that makes it most worth it, is like the relationships you make.

Reece McConnell:           22:03                  

Oh. For sure. For sure. Like, yeah. They're your best friends, man.

Griffin Sheposh:              22:05                  

The friendships are ... I mean, they're something special. They really test ... It tests how much you really love football. And once you get over the fact that ... I mean, freshman year is gonna be difficult. Once you get past that year, then you kind of get settled into what it is. And, you know what it is. And then, you really ... It really makes you love football, all that more.

Reece McConnell:           22:24                   Yeah. Definitely.

Griffin Sheposh:              22:25                  

So, respect that. And when you're doing it with your friends, and like people that you've gone through basically hell and back with? And then, I mean it makes it way better.

Josh Gibson:                    22:34                   So it's definitely worth it then, once you stop expecting it to be easy.

Griffin Sheposh:              22:37                   Yeah.

Josh Gibson:                    22:37                   You're like "its gonna suck but... "Whatever.... Let's do it. Let's do it together."

Reece McConnell:           22:40                   Oh, yeah. For sure. For sure.

Josh Gibson:                    22:41                   Cool. Well, hey. Thanks guys for sharing your experience. Appreciate that. And, catch you guys next time.