My Turn – Myles Simmons earns D1 offer
It’s amazing how things work out. In the midst of comprising this blog post I posted my son’s Junior season highlight film with the title “My Turn.” I knew his turn, his time, was coming soon. And before I could hit publish on this post his time really came. He earned his first D1 offer.
It was real joy for my son when he got in the car two days ago and couldn’t wait to tell me he earned his 1st division 1 football offer. I was on the phone and he gave me a tap and a look. I could see the excitement in his face so I knew I had to hang up. Bethune Cookman University offered him in the middle of practice. He said he had a really good day which made it truly special. Emphasis on “earned.”
As exciting as that day was for him, it still felt like it was long overdue. He was the last person in his position group on his team to receive a division one offer despite being the only 3 year starter going into next season. He had trouble accepting and watching everyone around him receive offers and opportunities regardless if he was above them on the depth chart.
Fortunately for him, I understand the process and I believe in him. I remember a few weeks ago I called him while he was at his mom’s as I saw 5 other skill kids from his school receive offers from the same college. “How does that make you feel?” I asked. I already knew the answer though. He was angry, hurt, disappointed, etc. But not at his teammates, more so the school that didn’t believe he was worthy. He was happy for those kids. He’s played and known many of his teammates since he was 5.
“You’re allowed to feel like that. I won’t tell you that you can’t be upset. But what are you going to do with that energy because your feelings ain’t gone get you an offer. Ain’t nobody going to offer you because they feel sorry for you. Are you going to be a pouter or a player? They not just giving out scholarships, you have to go take one. Do you wanna work out tomorrow?”
“Yes,” he replied. It was his day off but he accepted the challenge. Continue to work hard and get better. Your time will come I told him. We got a list of schools we going to this summer already. As long as you continue to get better there is no doubt we can find somewhere you can play. Once you get that first offer though, others will follow, trust me. And then, it happened again. A few days later. “Everybody else got an offer,” he told me one day after practice.
“That’s ok son, I know it ain’t easy but just know when yours come it will be real since you’re going into your Senior season. A lot of teams already have a board for each position for rising Seniors. When they see you, you have to be so good you knock somebody off that board. Continue to be happy for your friends. Their blessings helps them and every other kid at the school. What God has for them is theirs. What God has for you is yours. But you see how many colleges are coming through right now? Just keep stacking good days at practice.”
Being the man is great! Being the reason a college stops by is better! But guess what, if they watching film, watching games, and watching practice they see 22 on the field. They even see your opponents. This creates opportunity for you. You just have to be ready and have a good day when the eyes are watching. You don’t have to do nothing special. Just be you. Work hard and win every rep. If you win every rep you will get better, you will make plays and you will get that offer!
Fast Forward to this week, and he got it! I know there will be more but that 1st one is special. “I’m D-1!” he told his younger brother when he got home. Every kid wants to be encouraged and validated and I will be forever grateful for Bethune Cookman for being the 1st D1 school to believe in him. He currently also has an offer from UNC- Pembrooke, which is a Division 2 school.
I view both offers equally until we have more communication with the staffs and do our own research. At the end of the day you can only choose 1 school regardless if you have 5 offers or 50 offers. While others may have a lot more offers, if you only end up with 3-5 youcan visit and look at each school thoroughly to determine the best fit. It can actually make the process easier. Just because a school is D1 does not mean you have to go there. You have to find where you can develop into the person and player you need to be. What can they offer you educationally and career wise in addition to football resources?
UPDATE!!!!!
Man, the plan was to post this tomorrow but I’m posting today because he got his 2nd D1 offer. He got offered during practice by Georgia Southern yesterday. To me that’s special when coaches are watching you compete during practice and basically say, “I want that kid in our program.” It really gives you a sense that you’re earning it through your daily grind. I actually saw his position coach in passing before practice yesterday too.
“He got that monkey off his back,” I told him.
“Yea he did, it’s gone be some more though,” his coach responded.
“He said he had a good practice.”
“Naw, he definitely did.”
“Tell him I said to have an even better one today.”
“Facts, he definitely been working.”
And that’s it. No special formula. He shows up, does the work and is continuing to get better. He’s been good, but with consistent recruiters on campus he gets to display it in front of the right people. He plays his position at a high level and win his reps consistently. He could’ve pouted. I could have complained to the coaches. We could have looked at transferring. But we did none of that. He chose to grind and compete, do extra at home, and eat more to put on weight. He plays at position, and with teammates who are all good players so they make each other better daily.
To be honest, him not getting those early offers was the best thing to happen to him. He finally got that chip on his shoulder I’ve been trying to speak into him from years. He plays the game and attacks each day with a little more energy and a little more purpose. And now its time to build. Work harder and research these opportunities as they come in. Looks like he will have an important decision to make.
“GOD DID!” in my DJ Khaled voice.
Until next time, B U!
