Spotlight Athlete: Tanner Juday #15

SPORTS: Football & Track

Tell us your story. What life experiences have impacted your journey? What motivates you? What is your “why"?

I have faced a multitude of things that have impacted me. The main thing was losing my grandpa at 13. He was a great supporter, so each and every day I push myself 100% for him.

What role does your faith play in your life and in your sports career?

HUGE part of who I am is my faith in Jesus. I express it from a pre Friday night game to a squat set in the weight room. I feel that I have such an advantage with being close with Christ.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse? If so, which one and why?

Psalm 37:7

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him”

This keeps me at peace when I feel stuck or feel as if I'm not enough in the moment.

 

What accomplishment are you most proud of personally and athletically (name one of each)?

My favorite accomplishments (most recent) has to be joining the 4.85 club for my HS football team, which is running a 40 yard dash and I ran a 4.74 and I thank god for that along with the 225 clean club I joined that last week!

What do you feel sets you apart from your competition and what skills do you currently possess that are your biggest assets?

Pure dedication and coach-ability. You could ask any of my coaches and they will agree with me on that. My biggest skill right now is my aggression when it comes to man coverage.

What skills are you most focused on improving?

Right now I'm focusing on tackling and powerful hits to my opponents. I've been working on this every single day.

Tell us what a typical day or week is like for you:

Typical day for me is waking up at 4:30 and eating a filling healthy breakfast. Then I bible study usually a chapter or two. Then its off to school after getting ready. Then after school its weight room for football. After that I go home, eat dinner and get an extra lift in usually being a isometric lift for speed. Then I freshen up for bed. Then another bible study and in bed at 8:30.

What are your plans for the future and what is your number one objective for the next year / season?

Plans for the future is to play at a college that loves me and with a family of a team. My goal for this year is to make starting varsity for whatever position my coach wants me at, hopefully DB and to tie in my faith in Jesus with the game of football more than ever.

What is the biggest challenge you see in achieving your upcoming goal or where could you use help?

I have a ton of amazing talented DBs at my school that I'll be competing with for the starting positions but deep down I know I'm more obsessed with it and at the end of the day I will want it more.

What words of advice do you have for younger athletes that are up and coming?

Please never listen to anyone not building you up. Your own “friends” will make fun and laugh at you for putting in extra work or being active on X. Please never listen and know that it all roots from jealousy because chances are they see you as a threat.

Who was your favorite player growing up or who's style of play do you most admire?

#3 Derwin James! Hardest hitting Safety there is. I love his style and I watch film on him all the time

What one question would you have for your favorite athlete if they were sitting here now?

Did your friends you have hate on you for being you?

Is there anything else you would like to share with the community?

Trust in God.