Ryan Shaputis '20 Recruiting Profile

Ever since I was 6 years old, I have wanted to play football at a college level. I started playing football when I was 10, and it changed my life. I was a really shy kid, and all the sudden I had a bunch of friends, I was encouraged to be loud, to take control of situations, and become a leader. Football has helped me improve academically, because I know that if my grades aren't good enough, I won't be able to play. Since I started playing football, I have greatly improved academically, physically, and emotionally. When I look back at the kid who started playing football, I can't believe how much I've changed. I want to continue to play football on a college level because I can't imagine my life without it. 

I'm a great problem solver, both on and off the field. I can look at any situation and instantly know what needs to be done to improve the situation. My teammates and friends often ask me for advice with problems in life or school, because they know I will be able to help them. I'm a great leader in sports and in the classroom, and my teachers say they really appreciate my ability to keep my classmates focused, even when the subject isn't exciting or when there's something out of the ordinary going on at school. I'm also very conscientious, and hate to leave things undone or do something half way. Being a 3 sport athlete, I know how to manage my time and prioritize to get things done. 

Since starting to play sports, I have become very competitive, even making everything a competition with my sister at home. I love being the very best at everything, and I enjoy competing with my friends and my sister to also help bring out the best in them. That being said, I want to go to a school that fosters that competitive spirit so that I don't find myself slacking off. Academics are just as important to me as playing sports, and I know that the better my GPA is coming out of college, the better my job prospects will be.