I’ve always wanted to be someone people look up to.
While that may seem like an abstract goal, I’m grateful that God has blessed me with many challenges and opportunities to shape this dream.
As a former walk-on student-athlete, I began on the sidelines but eventually transferred and made a name for myself by earning all-MEAC honors.
Through this journey, I learned how to share my story and leverage NIL opportunities.
I even had the chance to speak at an NCAA convention.
The word “inspiration” gets thrown around a lot in student-athlete spaces.
While I can’t control whether my story inspires others, I hope my journey reflects the opportunities available to everyone.
I’ve reached this point through faith, trust, and many small connections.
If I can do it, so can you.
Walk On
I wasn’t one of those kids who played a million sports growing up.
For me, it was always football.
I played for a ton of little rec teams - I was an “Old Town Duck” and a “Tornado.”
My training and effort moved me up the depth chart in high school.
But when it was time to go to college, I didn’t receive a single Division I offer.
My confidence dropped.
I had offers from NAIA, Division III, and a few DII programs, and while I was incredibly grateful for those offers, I, candidly, sought something else.
To me, that meant I only had one option — I walked on at Old Dominion.
I worked hard and felt like I was in a good position, but I wasn’t seeing the field.
I didn’t have a scholarship and wasn’t even traveling to games.
To be honest, I was frustrated.
But I didn’t let that define me.
My story didn’t end there.
Changing my mindset changed my life.
My dad and uncle told me to keep fighting, to remember that I was better than what others thought of me, to train harder than the guy ahead of me, and to trust myself and God more.
My new mindset motivated me.
I eventually entered the transfer portal and earned a scholarship at Norfolk State.
Most importantly, I found myself playing football on the field again.
Making the most of every opportunity.
God helped me embrace each challenge in my life so I could find my purpose off the field, too.
My football career has been shaped by the little connections I’ve made with coaches and players over the years.
Once I took the football blinders off, I realized I can still connect with my community through my story rather than my stats.
And sharing my story transformed everything.
I’m learning how to leverage NIL opportunities and create my own.
Growing my brand started with small steps.
I introduced myself everywhere I went, even if I was just eating at a restaurant.
There’s no magic formula — I just put myself out there.
I grew more comfortable with each day.
One of the partnerships I’m incredibly grateful for is the one with Bubba’s 33.
It’s a long-term deal, and I’ve had the opportunity to dine there with my friends, receive a discount, and work on content creation.
It’s been an absolute blessing.
Now that I’ve learned the tricks of the NIL trade, I want to teach others how to grow their brands.
I just want to help other student-athletes secure NIL deals, too.
If I can secure 25+ NIL deals while competing for a smaller HBCU, everyone can.
I truly believe this is an opportunity.
And if I can be of any assistance, I’d be more than happy to be an NIL coach.
I want to be the mentor I needed when I was younger, and I’m already getting started on that mission.
The Best is Yet to Come
As I look to the future, I have big goals and dreams.
I want to continue to grow my brand and secure 50 NIL deals by the end of the year.
I hope to hit 10K followers on Instagram, start a mentorship program, and host a football camp.
I also want to speak on at least five stages this year and make it to the NFL.
Above all, I just want to make my mom and dad proud, maybe even buy them a house one day.
The best is yet to come, and I’m excited for what the future holds.
With Christ, all things are possible.
I’m excited to see where this NIL journey takes me, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this historic time in college athletics.
I’m blessed to be a student-athlete at Norfolk State, and I hope my story can inspire a few future student-athletes, too.
