Coming out of high school I had only one offer … EKU.
I had a very frustrating recruiting process, and then the previous EKU coaching staff decided to take a chance on me and, for that, I am forever grateful. EKU holds a special spot in my heart for that reason. Eastern Kentucky is a special place and the support from this community is second to none.
It has definitely been an eventful ride for me over these last few years.
My freshman year, I went from scout team quarterback to starting quarterback in a span of a couple weeks due to injuries. Five years later, we are ASUN champions and back in the FCS Playoffs for the first time since 2014. EKU has such a rich tradition of winning football that coach Kidd started here, and that is what Coach Wells and his staff are getting this program back to.
I knew not a single thing about anyone on this current coaching staff when they were hired. Since that day, each one of them has gone above and beyond, not only for me, but for this program. I cannot thank Coach Wells enough for how he has pushed me to be not only a better player, but a better leader. I feel as if I owe him so much for everything he has done for me in my time here at EKU.
He brought in Coach Richman, our OC, and I feel like his system has been a great fit for me here. I also owe a lot to the quarterbacks coach I’ve had for the past three seasons, Coach Steelman. He was a complete game changer for me in how I approach not only the game of football, but life. He took my understanding of the game to a completely different level. The different things he showed/taught me made the game slow down a tremendous amount. The friendship I have with him will last far beyond football.
The transfer portal is obviously a large topic of conversation in college football. Many assumed I would enter it after last season. With only one year left, that may make sense to some. But for me, I feel as if there is so much left to do here. Just making the playoffs will never be good enough for me. We have unfinished business.
I am in a place I love, surrounded by teammates, a coaching staff, and a community that I love.
I’ll be returning for my final year at EKU. Go Colonels!
