Ready for the Return

It's crazy, man. There are so many things that can easily put you off your path. A lot of people don't make it, you know? 

Now that I'm a parent, having made it out means even more to me. My why is clearer than it's ever been.

A lot of people have asked me why I decided to come back this year?

My answer is pretty simple.

Why wouldn't I? Why wouldn't I want to get better? Why wouldn't I want to up my NFL draft stock? Why wouldn't I want to put myself in the best possible position to provide for my family?

Everything—and I mean everything—I do now is for my daughter.

But making it happen was a lot harder than you'd think. I got a chance to work with former NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson in his 7-on-7 league. Things were great when I was training and playing football, but then I'd go back to that same environment I grew up around. The college offers were rolling in, but I couldn't disconnect from the distractions around me.

I could have lost it all, but luckily, my brother pulled me from that situation. We ended up leaving together, and I started attending Calabasas High School to really focus on a college career. 

I can't express how grateful I am to my brother, especially after seeing him not make it. 

He was always there telling me what I needed to do and what wasn't acceptable—you know, just being my big brother.

And he never missed a game either.

He made me better, even if he doesn't know it. I'm a better person and football player because he was there every step of the way.

Leaving It In the Past

My brother continued to push me, and eventually, I got an offer from the University of Nebraska. It was my last stop on my tour of a bunch of different schools. I was probably on the road for like a couple of weeks, and I just remember being tired and ready to go home during that visit.

But then I really started to pay attention to what Nebraska was offering me. It wasn't just an opportunity to play football and further my education.

THIS was my way out.

Deep down, I knew nothing would ever change back home in California. I needed a fresh start in a place where I could just focus and lock in on my future. Nebraska was perfect for me.

My mom threw me a little get-together with my family and friends after I signed my letter of intent. It was one of those rare and special moments. 

I was nervous about living outside of California and being away from my mom because I didn't really have any family here in Nebraska. It would just be me out here all by myself.

When I first got here, I'd go home every other weekend because I was so homesick. But soon, I realized that nothing was really going to change back home. I just needed to focus on doing my thing and putting everything else in the rearview. 

Nothing had changed, and nothing would ever change. But I had to change myself and my surroundings.

So, I grew up.

The Return to Memorial Stadium

As a senior now, looking back, I've grown so much over the last four years.

I just hope to continue growing into a man and father my family can be proud of. This football thing is bigger than me.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to be back on the field and giving this another shot, especially after the 2020 season. My daughter was a couple of weeks old before they canceled spring ball due to COVID last year.

Words can't even describe how hard that news hit me.

There I was, standing with my daughter in my arms, thinking it was possibly over. All of the work I put in trying to get to the next level—man, to think my senior year could potentially end like that.

But I never stopped working.

I thought about all of the lessons I took from my brother when I was just a kid looking for an opportunity. That extra time off gave me a chance to get back to those roots. I just knew I had to be ready when we got the call to return.

This is the game I love, and everyone back home, including my daughter, are depending on me to make it to the next level. I knew it couldn't end like that.

When we got our season back, my goals, dreams, and lifelong aspirations—all of it—was back on the table. I made every second on that football field count, and it was the best I've felt as a college athlete.

It was actually the first year of me going through an entire season with no injuries. I dealt with a neck injury throughout 2019 that slowed me down severely, but as of right now, I've never felt better. 

I owe it to my family to find out how good I can be.

There's no more thinking about myself now that I have my daughter in my life. Everything is about her, and I love it. I wouldn't change it for the world.

It's good to have a reason, and man, she's my reason—every single day I open my eyes. She's my life, and I love her.

That's my motivation when I step back onto the football field.

I'm hoping for big things this coming season. I know we're capable of doing better—winning games, being physical, and going to a bowl game. 

We are going to hold each other accountable and do everything in our power to reach those goals. 

Having you all back at Memorial Stadium will also make a big difference. I can't wait to walk out there with my teammates and feel that energy once again. 

This is also for all of you.

Husker nation, let's get it!