Shuwen Lei '16 Recruiting Profile

As a mainland Chinese football player in the US, I understand my skills and basic knowledge of football are limited. Therefore, I chose to train in the US last year, in DeBartolo Sport University.

I was unfamiliar with the American system of offense and the throwing techniques. Feeling extremely confused, I was not a perfect player during the camp. Although Coach Dickinson always screwed at me because my horrible performance, I still answered him “Yes Sir.” Once, after the practice, coach D called me to his office. We took looks at those practice films. He told me to control my release, to let elbow above my shoulder and to spin the football with inside finger. I answer him;” Yes sir, I will improve next practice.” As I’m leaving his office, he stopped me and ask me” Eric, how to eat an elephant?” I was shocked and answered:” Cut it into pieces, sir” But he said:” No, Eric, one bite at a time. How to throw a football? One bite at a time. “Those words might be the power that push me to continue playing football.

I believe there are no success is rely on talent. All success is based on hard work, insistence and desire to achieve success. So I decided to come to IMG academy to improve myself.

On the first week of practice, I faced the same problem as the previous camp. I could not get used to the different methods, like transferring weight, off balance and back foot perpendicular to the target. But I did not quit, I listened to all the words Coach Adam said and answered with “Yes sir.” I understand I’m not good enough and I’m not at the same level as Emilio or Sol. But I kept doing those drills with my best effort. Sometimes I missed the target, sometimes I hitched or sometimes I threw the wrong route. But every time coach Adam told me what to do. I answered with “Yes sir” and showed my best effort. On the second week of practice, I discuss about recruit with you, Coach Walsh. I understand my statues and my capabilities. Division III football is my dream, is the strongest supporter that keeps pushing me to play, learn and train football. This desire helped me to practice during weekends and after normal practices. Coach Richard coached me nicely, telling me to keep calm and do every single movement thoroughly and perfectly. At that time, on Thursday, I finally learn the core of being as a quarterback and the essential of playing a contact football game. On Friday I actually made some nice pass in the nest during Coach Adam’s drills.

IMG camp gave me a new understanding of playing quarterback and supported me with every single details. Coach Adam told us “football is like a dance, every movement should be smooth and perfect” and Coach Richard told me “Calm down and focus on the play” I will keep my efforts in my future football practice and in my life. Thank you coach, I did not just receive all those skills but I also received those essential meaning of dealing with future life.