Kalif Grant '19 Recruiting Profile

As I’ve dedicated myself to getting better at soccer during my high school career, I’ve realized that the more I dedicate myself to this sport, the more I grow not only as an athlete but as a person as a whole. By staying disciplined to growth in this sport, I’ve had to become more disciplined in other respects such as my academic work, nutrition, sleep, and recovery. By orienting myself around soccer, my grades, sleep, and nutrition have all improved. But this improvement only exists because of the desire to grow as a player. I don’t love soccer merely for the fun of it, but rather for the development of myself as a player and a person. Such development only comes from true struggle. This is why I aspire to play at the varsity level. In this environment, everyone is driven by the urge to be the best and everyone is propelled forward in the process. By saying “best”, I don’t mean egotistical. “Best” applies to different people in different ways. “Best” means how one can affect the most change in their specific way. No player does everything in soccer. My play style focuses on being the best for the team. No, I didn’t score any goals, but I believe my attitude and desire to work for others and linking up often is something that when reciprocated, creates success in this sport. This sport is played best when it’s played by a team, which is why I believe I have the capability and desire to showcase this on a varsity team in the future. I’m ready to do the ugly work that no one sees, like extra runs and training, restricting myself to a regimented athletic diet, making sure I get a minimum of seven hours of sleep, all while maintaining a 3.5 GPA at a rigorous boarding school, teaching students how to cook on the side and volunteering to help students at home and at school. As a potential athlete, I would like coaches to know that I truly care. Not only about success but about all of the things that go into success. Because of this care, I aspire to show this at the next level playing college soccer.