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Message: [QUOTE="Tylermarona, post: 2492857, member: 6591"] I remember I set a notification on my phone for signing day of 2012. I set that notification 3 years ahead of time. I did not sign that day. I did not even sign that year. I felt like I was worthless. I had no interest from schools. Yet, it was all I wanted. When signing day came and went, it was the worst day of my life. My mom and grandpa tried to console me. They took me to a LA Kings game, with box seats no less. It was not enough. I knew my destiny was Junior College football. Most people think of JC football as either the guys who just want one more shot at glory or the guys who had terrible grades. The latter was somewhat true. But, I was still eligible to play for any D1 school. For me, it was my weight keeping me back. It is funny to think that someone in this world has to gain weight in order to get a preferable outcome. I went into high school at 6'4 and 168lbs. When I turned sideways you could not see me. I could not bench press more than 100 lbs. I was as thin as thin could be. I put on 68lbs in high school and made it to 238. Many many many players get scholarships at 238. The problem was I did not play a flashy style of football. My high school had me play a style of football that was very effective but dissimilar to project to college programs. Again it hurt my stock toward D1. I spent many nights emailing coaches instead of doing my homework. I invested my whole life in this journey, and nothing was happening. I could not understand. I felt crazy. My Senior season I averaged 1.0 Sacks per game. That is almost impossible for a normal player. Not to toot my own horn but I wasn't bad at football by any means. Here comes JC football now. It was one of the most humbling and disenchanting times of my life. I went to Pasadena City College. Look there's me at PCC [I][IMG]https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7e6ed8_899f9d58d0c6459ea3e1f06658621782~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_405,h_225/7e6ed8_899f9d58d0c6459ea3e1f06658621782~mv2.jpg[/IMG] Still pretty thin. Anyway, through the toughest time I could ever imagine, I managed to earn a starting spot and I got a lot better that year. It was clear that I was not ready to be a D1 All American yet, but I still thought I should not have to be at a JC. Signing day of 2013 comes... and passes. Still no schools have offered me a scholarship. At this point I was crying most nights, because I actually thought I was living a lie in my head. I was beating guys for a position on the field that had 50-60 offers. It was really really really hard. I was sitting in my room one day, and I got this really random facebook friend request from a guy. His profile picture was him in a cap and gown. So I was like what the hell and I accepted it. He then messages me. "Hey Tyler, My name is Eric White and I am with Syracuse Football. We would like to have you visit campus as soon as you can!" I dropped my spoon in my oatmeal, and I thought ... "Is this it?" Did I make it...? How does this work? Signing day already passed.. I thought I was no good. Then I got a call from a 315 area code number. On the other line was Scott Shafer. "Tyler we are going to offer you a scholarship to play football for us. We did not know you were available. As soon as we did we knew we needed you." and then [I][IMG]https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7e6ed8_dcbbf240e6da4ef99becc8e72800241b~mv2_d_2448_3264_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_288,h_384/7e6ed8_dcbbf240e6da4ef99becc8e72800241b~mv2_d_2448_3264_s_4_2.jpg[/IMG] For some it is the toughest day of their lives. For others it is the best. It does not have to be either or. For me it was the worst. I had to wait. Which made it so much sweeter, but playing college football is amazing. Do not let someone say you aren't good enough. Because they cannot open up your chest and see how big your heart is. In whatever you do - make it your goal to push through everything, because one day you will have your own locker with your name on it. In whatever context that applies to you. [/I][/I] [/QUOTE]

Verification: What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?