Paul Leonardo '17 Recruiting Profile

My first football practice was one of the best days of my life. I remember putting on the helmet for the first time and not liking it but after six years I feel awkward without it. I learned to love the creeks and moans of the shoulder pads bending with my movements.  I love everything about football. The strategy, the people, and the feeling. I am addicted to it. I have tried other sports and they just don't compete. I played baseball and golf but thought they was boring and slow. I also tried wrestling which I liked for a while but I didn't really love it the way I loved football. I always find a way to stay motivated to get better. My first one was to prove myself to my coaches, when I reached high school I was immediately placed on JV for my size. I'm glad this happened because I liked the JV line guys the best. I was no longer the best, and it bothered me. I worked hard to be the best and I still don't think I was but because of my hard work I won 2nd team all league and 1st team all area. Another huge thing that motivates me is to be a better person. I really look up to Chris Kyle because I want to be more like him. One thing I especially love about football is the people. I love getting to know a group of people like the offensive line and playing with them. No other sport really has that where you have to build trust in eachother the way football does. During my senior year I was captain of the line and I don't think anyone would have wanted anyone else to be captain. I wasn't a strict leader but I did have to get some guy under control a few times. I think that leadership is one of those few things that people are born with and I know I have it. After college I want to become a pest control advisor, a plant doctor. I have always been a country boy and I think that I will have fun with this career.