Bryce Fitzwilson '20 Recruiting Profile

I was seven years old and just starting my Rookies football season when I tried on my first football helmet. My mom enjoys telling people how I wouldn't take it off when we got in our car and that I even wore it to bed later that night. My love of football started at an early age and my appreciation for the game has grown with each season. I have also enjoyed competing in basketball, lacrosse and rowing crew, but none have compared to my experiences with football. There is a unique combination of brotherhood, discipline and grit in football that I have not found in other sports.

As a freshman, I was a starter on the C-team (combined Frosh/Soph).  I challenged myself to get called up to Varsity by the end of the season. With the support of my coaches and family, I was able to accomplish that goal. In school, I committed myself to a full schedule of honors courses so that I would be ready to take a variety of AP classes during my junior and senior year. Although I dealt with some adversity during my freshman year, I was able to push through and come back more determined and focused than ever. Learning to overcome adversity is definitely something I have gained from playing football.

As a sophomore playing on Varsity, I ended up filling in for an injured teammate early in the season and switched from offensive tackle to starting defensive tackle.  This position worked really well with my personality and athleticism (one of my coaches gave me the nickname “Menace” because of how I played the position). Our team started the season with an entirely new coaching staff, new offense and a relatively small roster. With a lot of hard work and belief in one another we made it to the State tournament for the first time in eight years. Although we ended up losing to the eventual State Champions (O’Dea High School), our 2017 season was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

I’m currently 6’3” and weigh 205lbs. In addition to regular off-season training at our high school, I am doing twice weekly sport-specific performance training to increase my weight, strength, speed and skills as a defensive tackle/defensive end. I’m dedicated to helping my team get back to the state tournament next year and, in the process, helping prepare myself to play football at the next level.

My objective in both football and academics is to be challenged and to find personal growth through those challenges. Learning to push myself, even at the risk of failure, has helped me improve as an athlete and student. I’m interested in attending a college or university that will continue to support my intellectual interests and career goals, while providing me the opportunity to continue to compete in the sport I love.