Alex Arnold '24 Recruiting Profile

My story is a unique one. I was born 15 weeks premature, weighing 1lb 6oz.  After birth, I was in the hospital for over four months and incurred four life-threatening surgeries during that time (two on my intestines, one on my heart, and one on my brain). After my heart surgery, the doctor’s informed my parents that I would never be able to play sports.  The doctor’s stated that most premature babies, of this status and with these type of surgeries, have health struggles that create complications playing sports. I did endure many health struggles (learning to walk, reading, and speech therapy) during my early years and I successfully overcame all of these.   

During my early childhood, I played several sports: flag football, club basketball and cross country. Despite what the doctor’s had previously stated about me never playing sports, I had success. I found that one of my strengths was endurance. I could play longer at a higher level than others. My dad was an All-American track athlete at Pittsburg State University, so the endurance aspect runs in my genes. In flag football, I was our WR #1 and our free safety. I learned to catch the ball with my hands and the importance of effective route running. I was the top defender on our club basketball team, always being asked to guard the best player on the opposing team. In cross country, I competed on the Summit Ridge Middle School team thru grades 6^th thru 8^th and in my 7^th grade year, our team won the Middle School State Championships. I also ran in my freshman year of high school.  

I didn’t start playing tackle football until my 8^th grade year. Looking back, this was a mistake as it created challenges for me. The majority of all the other players had been playing tackle for years and I struggled mightily that year. During the summer between 8^th grade and my freshman year, I put in a ton of work to prepare myself for high school football.  By the 3^rd game of my freshman season, I was starting on the freshman team at both WR and corner. To start out my sophomore season, I started at both WR and corner for the JV team and played on all special teams. I literally never came off the field. Mid-way through that season, I became a starter at WR for our Varsity team (in only my 3^rd year playing tackle football). Highlight of that season was catching a touchdown pass on a 7-yard slant in the League Championship game (video is on my profile). For my Junior season, I started at WR on Varsity. In October of that season, during our League Championship game, I tore my ACL & meniscus. At that time, I knew I was injured but not to that extent. I returned to the game and 3 plays later, I scored a 60-yard touchdown, out-running several defenders, all on a torn ACL.    

On November 10^th, I had surgery to repair my ACL & meniscus. During my ACL surgery, the doctor stated that my growth plates were still open, which means I am still growing/maturing. After surgery, I focused on rehab with the goal of getting back for the start of this year’s football season, which I knew was a significant challenge. As soon as I was off crutches, I was at the gym every day, rehabbing my knee. As soon as I was able to run, I was out with the Varsity track team practicing with them. In April of this year, I was released to run at full speed and participated in several varsity track meets. I was able to run a 53.80 400m dash, which was a PR for me. I continued to rehab this summer, with both with my physical therapist and my private WR coach. On July 25^th, I was released by my doctor for FULL participation in all football-related activities. This is less than 9 months post-surgery. That was a very proud moment for me. 

I have been a 3-sport athlete while attending Dakota Ridge, participating in Football, Basketball, and Track and I anticipate participating in all three sports my senior year. My goal for this year is to become a Varsity letter winner in all three. I have included all my coach’s contact information as references on my profile.  They will all speak very highly of my positive attitude, accountability, and my willingness to help the team in whatever way possible. 

In conclusion, I am aware that because of my ACL injury last year that I was not able to participate in any offseason profile WR camps this season. With that being said, I do understand that this creates challenges for me playing college football as someone coming off an ACL injury is not highly recruited or desired. However, I have encountered challenges my entire life and see this as just another one to overcome. My history shows that I have the work ethic and drive to put in the work to become a contributor for your football team. I am looking for an opportunity in college to further my education, play football, and help me grow into a successful adult. Bottom line…I am looking for a place that I can call home.