When Wan’Dale Robinson left after his first training session, Chris Vaughn figured he’d never see the kid again.



This was back in January 2017. Robinson had just rushed for 2,000 yards and scored 31 touchdowns as a sophomore at Western Hills High School in Frankfort, Ky. He had traveled 45 minutes from Frankfort to Louisville to try training with some of the state’s best recruits.



“He had a rough day his first time out,” said Vaughn, the owner of Aspirations Fitness Institution. “He was talented and athletic, but he just hadn’t been matched up with the caliber of kids that were in the gym. He just didn’t understand a lot of the subtleties. At the highest level, the small things separate you.”



Fight or flight mode kicks in here. Robinson could prove he belonged or he could bail. Vaughn was surprised to see Robinson the next day, warming up with everybody else, eager to try again. He kept coming...