Jesse Stroede '20 Recruiting Profile

 One thing I’ve learned in my life so far, is that “size does matter”.  Not necessarily how big you are on the outside, but more how big you are on the inside. That is the size that really matters. 

Growing up, I was small on the outside. During my grade school, middle school and even into my high school years, I was always the smallest kid on the team. Whether it was football, basketball, baseball or soccer, I was the skinny little kid wearing the funny looking sport glasses, swimming in my jersey. I even had to put fishing weights in my girdle for Pop Warner weigh-ins, just to make weight.  However, I was also one of the most athletic players on all those teams. I could always play with the “big kids”, but when it came time to pass out awards or select All-Star teams, I was always passed over for the kids who were “bigger on the outside”.   I admit, there were a couple of times in my younger years, where I cried myself to sleep because I was passed over for All-Star teams by kids who were bigger than I was, but who weren’t as good of a player as I was....and it hurt.  

Those early experiences turned out to be the driving force for me to start growing on the inside. My parents helped me understand and focus on the things I can control rather than worrying about things I cannot control. I quickly learned that the size that really matters is the size of your heart, your determination and most definitely your desire and drive to succeed. This is the size that will determine how successful you will be in life. 

There is no doubt in my mind that I have the drive, desire and talent, to play Division 1 football.  I am one of two kids who starts both ways on my high school’s varsity football team.  I have been the starting second baseman on my school’s varsity baseball team since my sophomore year. My short term goals are to continue training, focusing on getting stronger and gaining weight, while also working to develop my leadership skills.  I want to be viewed by my teammates as both a team player and a team leader both on and off the field.  I truly believe I can be an asset to your team.   Thank you,