I have always been real.My parents were like that with me as a child. They wanted me to be realistic with myself and set realistic goals.
After college football, I knew that my NFL chances were slim to none, so I just played my odds and decided to pursue another profession that motivates me. I would be more of a free agent type, which would put me behind. I just figured I'd get ahead by starting my commercial real estate career in investment sales at 21-years-old instead of waiting until I was 23 or 24.
Once I made that decision, accepting a job offer in the middle of my senior season, it freed me up. I was good. I was relaxed. I had my plan set for after school, and I just played. I was playing with zero pressure. I was just playing football and having fun because I knew it was my last few games playing football.
It could not have worked out any better. My final college tackle was 3rd-and-4 in the Rose Bowl, stopping Saquon Barkley in the backfield, and forcing a punt that led to the game-tying drive. To go out as a captain, win the Rose Bowl and just the season we had, it was a dream.
I want to stay around USC and stay involved still with the athletic program, with football. I really used the game as a platform. I want to relay that message to everyone that goes through here. There's 85-90% of us that don't go to the NFL. Let's use it as a platform to still be successful even if you don't fulfill your ultimate dream of playing professionally. Let's still be successful in the business world.That's definitely why you choose USC and that's what they preach to you during recruiting. I did not really see it until I was proactive going on an internship hunt and going on a job hunt. That's when I met so many people that were powerful in Los Angeles that were connected to USC. Once you start meeting different people, they want to introduce you to more USC alums and it becomes a cycle. That's what happened with me. JK McKay set me up with my internship sophomore year and ever since then, I have been meeting people in the real estate industry that were connected to USC.
Business leaders gravitate towards student-athletes, not because of the prestige of it, but because of the work load that we take on. We have transferable skills that allow you to go into the work force. We are used to structure. We are used to the daily grind of being challenged. As my gap got smaller for my NFL chance, I had to widen my range of transferable skills for the business world, including showing leadership as a captain.
I think being personable was the main reason that I was chosen by my teammates. I formed a relationship with pretty much every guy in the locker room. I could have a conversation with any of my teammates and know a little bit about them. That relates to any field you are in. It's just relationships. I take pride in having good relationships and keeping strong bridges with anybody around me.
The veterans before me, like Hayes Pullard and Devon Kennard, showed me the way. I kind of just did what those guys passed down to me. The goal is to continue the fountain of youth so everybody understands how this works. You want guys to look back and say, 'This guy really helped me a lot.' Whether it is something small or something huge, on the field or off the field, I just want them to be able to take one thing from me.
I will miss the locker room. You are with the guys 12 hours a day. I enjoyed the work leading up to your test every Saturday. Every week, you had something to look forward to as far as a new challenge. Hopefully, I have something like that as far as a new challenge in my new job, but the weekly test was fun for me.What I won't miss are the 5 a.m. wake-up calls and morning team runs throughout the summer, but I think that's what helped shape me. I would go to team runs at 6 a.m., go to my internship and then come back for 7-on-7 sessions in the evening.
I am somebody that if you are going to do something, be all in. I am motivated by the people that come behind me. I want to set an example for them. That's what really drives me.
I am going to have some fun and travel Southeast Asia after the semester and then begin my new job in July. I am looking forward to the challenges ahead for me and my teammates. You will see me. I'll be around. I cannot wait to watch this team and program continue to grow and succeed.
Proud to be a Trojan for life. Fight On!
