Hey, Justin here!
Wow, what a semester! I made the Chancellor's List with a 4.0 GPA!
That letter from Chancellor Hawkins really made all the late nights and early mornings worth it. It’s a huge honor, and it feels incredible to see my hard work recognized.
A lot of people ask me how I manage to balance a demanding football schedule with a full load of challenging classes. It's definitely not easy, and there are days when I feel like I'm running on fumes, but I've learned a few things that have really helped me stay on top of both.
1. Time Management is King (and Queen, and everything in between): This is probably the most crucial thing. My schedule is packed, so I have to be super intentional with my time. I live by my planner – seriously, it's my best friend. Every practice, every study session, every class, every meeting – it all goes in there. I also try to block out specific times for studying each subject. For example, I know Tuesdays after practice are for history, and Thursdays are for economics. This consistency helps me stay focused and prevents me from falling behind.
2. Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize: There will always be a million things to do. I've had to learn to differentiate between what's urgent and what's important. Sometimes that means saying no to social events or cutting back on gaming time. Football is a huge commitment, and so is getting a good education. When those two are my top priorities, other things naturally fall into place (or, sometimes, fall by the wayside).
3. Fuel Your Body and Mind: You can't perform at your best on the field or in the classroom if you're not taking care of yourself. That means eating healthy, getting enough sleep (which is often a struggle, I won't lie!), and finding ways to de-stress. For me, a good workout at the gym (beyond practice) or just listening to some music helps clear my head.
4. Lean on Your Support System: I'm so lucky to have an amazing support system here at Troy. My coaches are understanding about my academic commitments, and my professors are often willing to work with me when I have games or travel. My teammates are also a huge source of motivation – we push each other on the field and in our studies. And of course, my family's constant encouragement means the world.
5. Find Your "Why": Why am I doing all of this? For me, it's about setting myself up for success in the future, both athletically and professionally. I love football, and I'm chasing that dream, but I also know that a strong education is my backup plan (and honestly, my primary plan for life after football). Having that clear "why" keeps me going when things get tough.
This semester was a real test, but I'm incredibly proud of what I've accomplished. It shows that with dedication, good habits, and a strong support system, it's absolutely possible to excel in both academics and athletics.
What are your tips for balancing a busy schedule? Let me know in the comments below!
Go Trojans
Quick Football Stats from our Athletic Dept
2024 (Sophomore): Earned a scholarship at the end of fall camp … Started all 12 games … Finished third on the team with 67 tackles … Added two tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions and four pass break ups … Second pick of the season came at Georgia Southern on the Eagles’ final drive to ice the victory for the Trojans; first pick came against ULM … Season-best nine tackles in opener against Nevada; added seven against ULM, Texas State and Arkansas State … Recorded his lone sack of the season at Louisiana and added a TFL against ULM … Four or more tackles in all 12 games … Played a team-best 764 snaps on defense ... Broke up a pair of passes at South Alabama
2023 (RS-Freshman): Played in 10 games and 65 total snaps … Majority of action (51 snaps) came on special teams, primarily kickoff coverage unit … Saw time on defense against Stephen F. Austin, Kansas State and Arkansas State … Finished season with three tackles and a pass break up