Can I make it?

Question
QUESTION: Hi, my name is Ron"Big mac"Mcintosh. I played football at clarke centeral in Athens,GA.I'm 6-foot 295. I bench 370 squat 520 and powerclean 280. I played right guard/tackle and d-tackle. I know I'm too short for the line, but is there any way I could do something to get in shape, or should I give it up? If I have to change positions I'll do my best to lose weight.

ANSWER: Ron
First, don't give up!  You can never accomplish your dreams or goals if you give up.  One thing you must realize is that the things you want and desire most, take hard work, sacrifice and discipline in order to achieve them.  With that said there is always a way.  First start to lose weight!  You will have more opportunities to play if you lose weight and you will increase your speed and quickness.  

 Get a good diet set for yourself.  A big help in dieting is understanding you must change your eating habits.  A dietician, nutritionist or your doctor can help you with this.  Also increasing the level of your exercise will help as well.  Be sure you are medically fit to under take the exercise which MUST include lots of Cardio exercise.  Again check with your doctor first.  There is plenty of time to loose weight between now and next season.  I bet you could drop 30 lbs by April and another 30 lbs by the beginning of the season and you could be a lean terror on the football field.  Remember, once you knock off the weight the team's strength coach will have you building muscle and strength which will put muscle mass on you.

Best of luck.  I hope to hear back from you this summer with a positive report and hope to see you on a college football field next Fall.

Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the advice, but I've got one other question. I wasn't sent letters and I only have 2 years of high school experience, but I think I could do more. are there any good colleges you could suggest I "walk on", or try out for? If so, what position?

Answer
Ron
Remember the reason you go to college is for an education, not football.  Football is something extra you do while in school.  So, you need to  find a college that you like, a college where you want to attend and study, a college you can afford and one where you can gain admission.  Then with a list of those colleges find the one where you can play (Div. I, II, III or NAIA).  I recommend you contact the football offices.

Because you did not get a letter from a school doesn't mean you can't walk on - it means you will have to be proactive and write to the schools and express your interest in walking on and find out the requirements to each school.  Make sure your grades are in order and make sure you have done all that is required to gain admissions.  As for the position, let the coach of the school determine that, he will place you at a position where you can best assist the team.
Best of luck.