Joseph Gatlin '25 Recruiting Profile

My name is Joseph Gatlin, I prefer Joe. My collegiate goals are to get my major in Sports Management.
What makes me a good candidate/athlete is my determination and willingness in the classroom and to the sport I love and respect.
Soon after my dad passed my mom introduced me to football. My mom told me she wanted me to start doing football because she wanted me to have positive male role models in my life. Mom always says it’s better to have positivity in our world than to dwell on all the negativity. 

I was introduced to Coach Cash, he was my very first football coach. I learned a lot from him. I respect him and I have fond memories. I was on MYF Single A for two years. We went to the championship both years I was on MYF Single A. During my first year, I earned the nick name BIG JOE. Because I was the biggest kid on our team. Then, I moved up to MYF Double AA. My coaches were Coach Corning and Coach Baxter. Both great coaches, they taught me much more. I learned to love the sport even more. My nickname stuck and I was being called BIG JOE on and off the field. I earned the privilege to be captain of the defense line starting my first year on MYF (double A) AA. Then after the four years I have been apart of McKinleyille Youth Football it is over. I was unable to advance into MYF Triple A (AAA), Covid hit us all. Then with my age I was only able to play one final year with my teammates I started with but with covid that was not going to happen. I was among so many others that lost a year playing football because of Covid. Nevertheless, during that year, I continued working on my skill, even though I wasn’t able to play football with my peers or go to school. I still was working with my mom and on my own to be able to stay current and active. Finally, I was able to go to MHS (McKinleyville High School) my love for football continued. The summer before my Freshman year, I participated in the summer football camp. Which helped me build my confidence going into the high school. I had the confidence to walk up and down the halls. No fear but I was quite shocked many people that I did not know knew me, so when I would be walking down the hallway, people will be saying "Hey Big Joe" and of course, I would respond. I started developing more confidence. 

My mom has been to every single football game I have ever played in. Before high school she was at every practice she would never miss watching me play the sport I love. I am the all American student athlete with the love of my family. My mom is my rock! Everybody has a story. This story is mine, but I can sure tell you I have learned a lot in my time. I do thrive in the classroom. I only want my mom to be proud of me and for me to look in the mirror and be proud of myself. I have a deep passion for football. I have a deep passion to be successful. I have a deep passion that I must and will be the best I can be every day. I have learned from my dad's passing that life is about choices. We all have a choice to take in this world and I choose to go to college. I choose to continue playing football the sport that I love. I choose to keep my mom proud. I choose to do better every day to be the best I can be. To continue being happy and spread positivity in this world. 

I have loved football from the beginning. I am very coachable and a team player on and off the field. I am a two sport athlete. I also play Track and Field. I throw shotput and discus. I started my sophomore year. 

I have strong family value. My mom raised me by the “golden rule”. Thank you for reading a bit about me. I look forward to get to know you. Now let's play some FOOTBALL!