Corvin Moment

Special to Treasure Coast Newspapers

Editor's Note: Vero Beach High School senior Corvin Moment has written the following first-person story that outlines his recruitment to play college football.

The first time I remember thinking about playing college football was in middle school when I was in 7th grade.

I just wanted to play because it was fun. But watching college football as a kid and how athletic those guys were — the muscle definition and everything — it’s someone I wanted to be when I got older.

I was putting in the work to play college football way back then and one thing my dad would always stress to me is that if you want to be really good at this sport you can’t let anyone outwork you, because a lot of people want to play college football.

I got my first college offer the spring before my junior year from Syracuse. It was really cool at first getting an offer, especially from a school as well-known as Syracuse. I knew how much work it took for me to get that initial offer and it actually made me work even harder. That’s something else my dad taught me, to not get complacent because you have this or that. Everything you achieve should be a reason to keep pushing instead of getting comfortable.

There were college coaches coming every day last spring to our practices. It was a lot of fun and there wasn’t any stress. I was just doing what I do and if the coaches liked it, they would talk to me after practice. It’s not like they were incognito, because they have their school colors on and their clipboard, so you know they’re watching. But in practice I was just in a zone, not even worrying that they were out there.

I received a handful of scholarship offers last spring, and at one point was getting an offer every few days.

There were two points in time where my recruitment really took off — in December before the dead period, and then just recently this month. Schools were wanting me to visit and were trying to get me to commit. I never got overwhelmed by it, but it was a lot to think about.

Really, I think my parents felt more pressure than I did because I was their son and they wanted the best me.

Most of the time I actually wasn’t thinking about making the decision. I just knew I was going to play college football and get an education.

My first official visit was to Western Michigan.

I had never been that far north, certainly not to Michigan, and had never been in a place that cold with snow on the ground. But meeting the players I could tell why they had so much success because it really had a brotherly feel. I know on an official visit they want to make the school seem perfect, but it really felt good there.

The Middle Tennessee visit was nice too. Their head coach, Rick Stockstill, seemed like a genuine guy and I liked how detailed they were about the educational part of it. I learned a lot from that visit and learned a lot details of what it would be like to study business there. It really opened my eyes to that part of it.

Still, I knew where I really wanted to go, and I am so blessed to announce that I am committing to Western Michigan.

I remember one night they had a player panel where we went into this room and recruits and players could ask questions. Some of the answers to the questions were typical, but others were straight and real. It was a good feeling to see the players who were there and that they were not trying to just impress us as recruits. That was something else that made me want to go to Western Michigan.

I want to encourage other recruits coming up to go to the school that wants you rather than the popularity of their football program. It’s the place you’re going to go for four years, so make sure you go somewhere that wants you and has a plan for you.

I’m looking forward to stepping out of my usual boundaries and being in Michigan will give me a chance to mature and enjoy other things you don’t get to enjoy in Florida.

I’m so looking forward to my future at Western Michigan.

CORVIN MOMENT

Who: Vero Beach High School linebacker Corvin Moment was a first-team all-area and third-team all-state selection in 2016 when he had 67 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.

Coach says: "Hes one of those, 'What you see is what you get' kind of kids," Vero Beach coach Lenny Jankowski said of the 6-foot-1, 230-pound Moment. "He has been such a key cog for what we’ve done over here in his four years. He’s done everything from being a freshman team quarterback and then his sophomore year he starts every game at corner. He never lost a regular season game as a three-year starter. That’s an unbelievable feat. He’s had a helping hand in us winning a lot of games here. He’s a great kid and has a bright future in front of him — with or without football."

It's official: Moment will sign on National Signing Day, Feb. 1.