1on1 With Jarrell Harrison

In a candid interview with the young man, Cory Gray, the co-founder of Athletes R Us, sat down and talked with an once-rival of his own high school’s football team. The young man couldn’t be more humble and focused, according to Cory, he spoke dignified, like a winner.

So, the interview began:

Cory: How does it feel to be part of the Missouri football team?

Behind his words, there was an honest smile behind his words, Jarrell answered: It feels great." He started then continued, I love being in Columbia, playing in arguably the best conference in the country. The coaches do a great job in providing us with a family atmosphere, and I enjoy being with my teammates on a daily basis."

Cory: What kind of rush do you get when you’re playing the game?

Jarrell: There are no words to explain the rush you get when playing in front of 70,000. its the greatest feeling in the world. Sometimes, it gets so loud, it gets hard for me to communicate with my teammates so we are forced to do signals but, all in all, it’s great.

It seemed at that moment, Cory was reminded of the boy he had ventured against in what seems so long ago. Back then, Jarrell was a part of the Palo Verde Panther’s football team. At that time, he may not have been a safety, but he was definitely just as good at being Quarterback.

Cory: You’ve always been a winner since I have known you; I remember you being a freshman and beating us playing QB, I always thought you had a winners mentality. How do you prepare yourself before each game?

Jarrell: I make sure I understand my opponents as well as the game plan. I want to make sure I’m the most prepared person on the field. I make sure I know my assignments inside and out. I make sure all that is done the night before the game and then its like second nature when I get on the field

With that answer, it was no wonder that he won the 2009 Spring Team Most Improved Safety Award. It seemed, Cory observed, he seemed to take many of the traits of what made a quarterback great into his being a safety. It was no wonder he seemed to always be getting better with every time he stepped on the field. He decided to come back to that later, wanting another question answered first.

Cory: Is there a certain Game on your 2010 Schedule that standout for you?

Jarrell: Yeah, the Oklahoma game because that’s our homecoming game. And, also, because they have a couple Vegas guys that start for them, Quinton Carter and Demarco Murray, so that should be fun to go up against them

Cory: Do you think that being an ex-quarterback playing safety is an advantage for you? I notice you have an eye for the ball.

Jarrell: Yeah it definitely is… because I have an idea what offenses are trying to do. I understand formations and plays they like to run out of those formations.

So, it has been a real big advantage for me because I can also read a QB's body language and understand what he wants to do.

Cory: I think you are a great example of a player who is dedicated and will do whatever it takes to accomplish your goals. What advice do you have for the players out there who are trying to make it to the next level?

Jarrell: Just believe. Believe in yourself and the talent that GOD