Will Compton@_willcompton
To my undrafted players looking to make the team and stick around…
Here’s my best advice on work & study habits when I think back on my career:
WATCHING FILM:
Don’t just watch film in meetings after practice. Try to review your practice reps during the window before meetings start —that way you can have a conversation with your coach when your plays come up. Next, I’d watch EVERY snap on your own time once you get back to your hotel room. Take notes and be hard on yourself. Then, at the end of the day, review it all again before bed so that way you will have seen & visualized each snap at least 3 or 4 more times outside of practice. The key here is taking that feeling of urgency in your brain, where you’re trying to remember everything, and turning it into active processing
(IF YOU’RE A DEFENSIVE GUY —you should actually breakdown what the offense is doing because they will run the same shit the next day. And I’m sure it’s the same, offensively.)
STUDYING THE PLAYBOOK:
Don’t try to learn the install in real time —you’ll be behind & cramming shit in your brain all day. Understand which install is being taught next —then study, take notes, and anticipate questions or gaps the night before. Make sure to review those notes in the AM before everything starts. That way you’re prepared and ready to have questions versus preparing & faking it during the meeting.
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING:
Show up early to warm up before the warm up. Don’t follow the veterans (they’re playing a different game than you). What you should do is seek out the good ones that have been on the team for a minute —the ones you notice having a full routine throughout the day. Those are the ones you want to surround yourself with. Another move —> ask the strength coach who the best workers on the team are. Find them and follow their lead.
UNIT/POSITION MEETINGS:
Don’t be a know-it-all and answer every question like you’re trying to be the team’s valedictorian. Find a potential problem with what is being taught and ask a good question. It shows that you not only understand the install, but that you are someone who thinks about “level 2” details.
SPECIAL TEAMS!!!!!
This is honestly where you make the team. Get to know the Special Teams Coordinator because he will ultimately be the final boss. What not to do —don’t think your play as an offensive or defensive player will be enough. It won’t be unless you’re a Day 1 starter. Something that was taught to me —don’t be one of those groupies and immediately ask questions following a meeting. Instead, find him in his office during “off hours”, ask him to pull up a rep that you have a question on, and allow him to teach you what he wants. Then you’ll be talking ball, watching film, and having your own personal meeting.
(Another sleeper play is to always be talking to the Assistant Sp. Teams Coach.)
And my last piece of advice —be consistent, man. Pull the fucking trigger and pour everything you have into this opportunity because it might be your only one.
“You owe the process everything, and it owes you nothing in return”
Go be great 🐺🐺
