Playing safety taught me to pattern recognition and how to make fast decisions when it matters most. On the field, I had to read what the offense was doing and adjust our defense in seconds. This skill helps me in any job where I need to analyze information quickly and make confident decisions, even when there's pressure or not a lot of time. Real-life example: In a big game, I noticed the quarterback kept making the same hand signal before throwing to his favorite receiver. By watching him closely in the first half, I picked up on this pattern. When the game was on the line in the fourth quarter, I saw him make that signal again, so I shifted toward where I knew he'd throw the ball. This let me make an interception that won us the game. My teammates thought I had some special instinct, but really I just paid attention to details and trusted what I saw.

As a graduate assistant for the football team, I learned how to keep over 100 players organized and on track. I had to juggle practice schedules, academic requirements, and everything else that goes into running a college football program. This taught me how to plan ahead, use resources wisely, and keep multiple projects moving forward smoothly at the same time. Real-life example: I had to keep track of more than 100 players and make sure they all made it to meetings, practices, and classes on time. One of my jobs was figuring out when players could eat around their busy schedules. I created a system that showed when each player had weights, classes, and team meetings, then set up specific times for them to grab meals and snacks in between. This way, no one missed meals or showed up late to meetings because of conflicts. I worked with our food staff to make sure everything was ready during these windows, which helped players perform better on game days.

My leadership style is about setting clear expectations and giving direct, helpful feedback. As team captain and later as an assistant coach, I learned how to motivate different types of people by being clear about what we needed to achieve and giving regular feedback that helped them improve. This approach builds accountability while also giving people a sense of purpose that drives them to get better. Real-life example: As an assistant coach, I often had to break down game film on very tight deadlines, especially during spring when my position coach was traveling to recruit high school players. Sometimes I had to do both my regular work and his, watching our opponents' games while also evaluating high school recruits. I came up with a way to review footage efficiently without missing important details. Once when my position coach suddenly had to fly to Florida for recruiting, I only had 24 hours to analyze an opponent's run scheme. I stayed up all night to make sure everything was ready in time.

I'm good at connecting with different types of people while still holding them to high standards. Football taught me that having real relationships with people makes it easier to have tough conversations when needed. By taking time to understand what motivates each person and how they communicate best, I create an environment where people feel valued but also know they need to meet expectations. Real-life example: I connected with players by putting in extra time with them outside regular practice. I often organized additional workouts and film sessions for players who wanted to improve. This helped me get to know them better while also helping them develop their skills. For example, one Linebacker was having trouble with certain coverage techniques. Instead of just correcting him during team practice, I offered to meet him three times a week for extra film study and field work. During these sessions, we built a good relationship where he felt comfortable talking about what he was struggling with.

My football experience taught me when to step up and lead, and when to support others' leadership. I understand that successful teams need people who can switch between taking charge and supporting from behind, depending on what the situation calls for. This flexibility has helped me make the biggest impact by recognizing when I should speak up and when I should back someone else's plan. Real-life example: My approach to leadership is about being relatable and helping others. Since I had recently gone from being a player to an assistant coach, the players respected me both as a former teammate and as a coach. I've used this connection to guide them on and off the field. For instance, I took a freshman from California under my wing when he came to Texas without any family nearby. I became like a big brother to him - making sure he was on time for everything, helping him get extra practice, and even taking him to church. I showed him how to connect with people and communicate effectively in different situations. This shows my belief that real leadership starts with serving others and showing rather than just telling, helping others develop their skills, and knowing when to guide versus when to trust people to do their jobs.