Kicki'n it with Wright

As the season wraps up, Next Level Combines sits down with OLB/DE/TE/FB Markus Wright..

Markus Wright tells the tale of his season as a sophomore player. Wright and the Brookstone Cougars have had a reasonably successful season. This year, they had made it as far as the first round of the state playoffs. As we asked him, what was his best game of this year? Wright would reply; it would be the third game of the season up against Wesleyan right out of Atlanta. He would hold a total of, seven tackles and one sack in that game. 


 His freshman season became the ultimate wake up call. As Wright went into his sophomore season, he knew he would need to make a complete game play change. As the season progressed, Markus Wright became stronger and played more efficiently on the field. In all he become an all around more refined athlete in his craft. As a player, he adapted on the field and now can be shifted around and play more positions than he did in his freshman season. Everything for Wright is a learning curve as he becomes a much more seasoned player as time progresses.

During the off season, it is still in a continuous working progress for Wright to improve and to achieve to be quicker, stronger and to be more efficient on the field. His workouts would include various drills such as; footwork and hands. Especially when coming off of the line. Other consistency of workouts includes weightlifting and plenty of other agility workouts.

In the off season he would not only continuous work on his agility skills alone on the field, Wright would attend camps or combines. In the past, he has attended a three day camp in Alabama and a one day camp in Auburn. In his attendance in the three day Alabama camp, he would receive the Nick Saban award. The Nick Saban award at the camp was given only the selective group of players that would perform at a higher standard.

As a student athlete Wright recognizes not only being on the field he would need to excel in. But also his focus level and the quality time spent studying prepping academically must be given as much as on the field. 

_________________________SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS :

I would like to give thanks to God first and foremost. Secondly, I would like to thank my family and friends for supporting me throughout every decision I make. Also, a big shout out to Next Level for giving me a better opportunity to reach my goals.

 

Markus Wright, " Investing in the Future "

MARKUS WRIGHT

Winners are not only found on the field but also in the classroom. Wrights got it right!

"I consider my determination and relentlessness to be my strengths when dealing with football and life in general. With both determination and relentlessness, anything can be accomplished on and off the playing field."

Position

OLB/DE/TE/FB

Team
Brookstone

Height/Weight
6'2, 215lb

Jersey Number
28

Stats/Awards
Freshman Year: 42 total tackles in 9 games. 
3 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries.
Sophomore Year: 35 total tackles in 6 games. 4
Tfl, 1 int, 2 sacks.

Markus Wright is an excellent athlete who excels not only on the field, but in the classroom as well. Wright resides in Columbus, Georgia and is a member of the Brookstone Cougars. As a freshman, Wright helped the Cougars to a 6-1 regional record and 8-3 overall. Wright has all the tools to take his game to the next level. He has great size, speed, and great character. Talking about numbers, as a freshman wright piled up 8.5 Sacks, totaled 87 Tackles and was selected the Youth Arena Football All-star Team (2011)... Future Star All-star Team (Georgia/2011)... Selected Best At USA Camp (2012).Wright has also posted some excellent numbers, posting a 4.7 forty and 35 inch vertical leap.

Next Level has been following Wright since his youth indoor stint. 

“We can tell you by watching his video, this guy comes to play. Wright brings an intensity that is unmatched. He is truly going to bring a physical presence for the cougars next year."

 

Here is a brief interview on Markus and his outlook of someday playing college football

Question- Answer Session

1) What Do you want to Major in College?

I would like to major in Sports Medicine and possibly Sports Management.

2) What do you bring to a college program?

I feel that I would contribute to a college program in many ways. I believe that a college program would be acquiring not only a hard working athlete, but a committed leader,worker, and student. I feel that I could bring leadership skills and service skill to any college that I chose to attend.

3) How would you describe your playing style?

I consider myself a clean, determined, and relentless player. I believe that nothing can stand in between my goal and I if I put in the work necessary to reach my goal.

4) Who were the most important influences to you as a player and in life throughout the years?

My mom is by far the biggest influence on my life both as a player and as a citizen in general. She has made sure that I commit myself to reaching a goal. She has also taught me that should never give up no matter what the situation may be.

5) Besides football, do you play any other sports?

 I also play Basketball and I run track.

6) What position do you play in high school and what position do you want to play in college?

I play outside linebacker and defensive end in high school and I hope to continue to play those positions sat the higher level.

7) What are the three things you looking for in a school?

I am looking for education first. I also look for a healthy environment and well-structured athletic program.

8) What would you consider your strengths?

I consider my determination and relentlessness to be my strengths when dealing with football and life in general. With both determination and relentlessness, anything can be accomplished on and off the playing field.

9)  What is something you think you could work onto improve?

I believe that I could work on my focusing skills even more. I believe that if I can focus on even more things at once that my success level will increase in all fields of life.

10)  What would playing in college mean to you and your family?

Playing in college would cast a orb of happiness and hope for my family. It would give my family hope for the future and act as a stepping-stone in my goals of someday playing college football. My mother has always worked very hard and has always been in my corner. She would very proud. In conclusion, it would give my entire family a role model that is a living case that proves that any dream is possible to obtain if you are willing to put in the effort necessary to achieve

 

Mr. Everything

Mister everything, John Themidor comes knocking in.

"I feel like I’m going to be known as one of the greatest Haitian ever to play the game."

JOHN THEMIDOR

Position

Linebacker

Team

Jones High School

Height/Weight

6'2,  245lb 

                                                                        40- 4.7

 

Squat Max

600

Bench Max

315

Vertical 

34

Broad Jump

10'00

20 yard shuttle

4.39

 Graduation Year

2013

                                                              OVERVIEW

John was born in Haiti and move to Orlando, Florida at the age of 9. Playing a variety of sports helped John become the football player he is today. With great size and speed, John has the ability to step into a college program and contribute right away. John's journey of playing major college football is getting closer to realization every day. Working hard in the classroom and excelling on the field is an easy task. With major college programs at the door steps, John must make a tough choice of where he will suit up for the next 4 years and earn a world class education. 

Here is a brief interview on the upcoming student-athlete as he takes his game to the NEXT LEVEL!

BACKGROUND  

John played soccer throughout middle school. He never thought he would be playing football coming out of winning "Division C" championship in soccer. He saw from all the run and quick stop, it had helped him with his agility skills. In his first year of participating in track and field he would always be placed one of the top eighth player. In hard work and dedication that created the state of mind where he would compete among the top Floridian in the state. 

Not a lot of athletes can say “hey I done did dragon boating” I know you're wondering what this kid is talking bout. Well it’s an ancient sport that been going on for quite sometime now. Where we call our self the dueling dragons. We participate in the Major League Dragon Boat competition where we won first place at the 2011 grand open division. 

Through this experience it has helped him in working as one and it helps with his slap, ripe and dip for the football field. He also does weightlifting where he became one of the team captains. He was always place at the top of his weight class. With all these skills, it has helped him to become a well rounded player.

QUICK FACTS

Glories-royal int. track meet boy shot put 3rd place, class 2A track boys state runner up 2nd, place dragon boat 1st and 2nd place, outstanding sportsmanship by the National Guards, Division c championship trophy , 5 1st place ribbons 2 2nd place for weightlifting.

Question- Answer Session

1) What Do you want to Major in College?

I would love to follow my father footsteps and become a civil engineer and possibly go into criminal justice field.

2) What do you bring to a college program?

I bring commitment, leadership, hard worker, and set high expectations for myself on and off the field. I am a student of the game and I bring leadership on my team. I'm the QB of the defense, I have to know my stuff!

3) How would you describe your playing style?

I would say mind over matter. 90% of the game is mental and 10% physical. I give it my all on the field. I am great team player.  With hard work and dedication I can overcome any obstacle standing in my way.

4) Who were the most important influences to you as a player and in life throughout the years?

The biggest influence on my life is my Mother. Raising a young man is not an easy task, especially when there no father figure in the house. She always have words of encouragement and that motivates me to keep pushing. It would be a dream come true for her to see me attend a major university.

5) Besides football, do you play any other sports?

I threw the shot put and discuss in Track and Field and compete in Weightlifting.

6) What position do you play in high school and what position do you want to play in college?

I play defensive end, offensive tackle, in high school. I would like to play either middle linebacker, outside linebacker, or defensive end in college. I have great size which will allow me to contribute to a college program right away.

7) What are the 3 things you looking for in a school?

I’m looking for a school that has a great reputation. I would also like to attend a school that have a balance of academics and athletics.

8) What would you consider your strengths?

I can say my determination to accomplish my goals both on and off the field.

9) What is something you think you could work on to improve?

I would consider improving my technique and not being content with where I'm currently at. I want to progress and get better everyday.

10) What would playing in college mean to you and your family?

Playing college football, would be a dream come true. I grew up in the poverty in Haiti. I believe my hard work will allow me and my family to live the American Dream. I always see my self doing great thing that my family expects me to do. My Mom is my motivation to keep my dream alive. My mom is as a hard working independent woman, she deserve to brag about how her son playing college ball and living his dream.

"I would like to Thanks Next Level for helping me to realize my dreams and potential. They helped me to expand my knowledge of the recruiting process and the steps in getting a football scholarship. I liked that they followed up on my progress and act as a mentor. It helped me to build lasting networks and relationships"

Photo courtesy- Jone's HS Media Department.