FALLS | Life of a walk-on: Taking a leadership role

Editor’s note: James Falls is a Central Michigan Life staff reporter also playing on the football team this fall.

I never realized how fast I had grown up in this program until now.

The freshmen arrived a few weeks ago and they have a lot to turn into in such little time. It is time to take what I learned and teach it to the other fellow running backs, even though I am still young myself.

Six months ago during winter when I walked onto the team, I struggled learning the offense. The signals were tough to remember and I always got the plays mixed up. Now, the freshmen will depend on me to teach them the things I once learned from veteran ‘backs like Carl (Volny), Tyler (Reed), and Bryan (Schroeder).

If I want to take on this position, that means I must be a leader at all times. That means to finish all the drills, remain standing when tired, come to practice on time and participate in film study.

Training camp begins in a few weeks, which means we have no time to make mistakes as we prepare for our first game on Sept. 5 against Arizona.

Nobody is infallible, but we want to get as close to perfect as we can.

Over the summer, strength and conditioning coach Dave Lawson harped on the characteristics of being a leader and how to lead the team to do right. It made me realize that I can be a leader even as a rookie in the program.

Setting examples is vital at this time. The freshmen are noticing the behaviors of the upperclassmen and are beginning to emulate them.

If I continue to do right, then hopefully somebody will follow, whether it’s in the weight room or even off the field.

Normally, the young don’t get looked upon as a leader, but sometimes you don’t have to wear the badge to take such a role.

You never know who is watching you and who may become a product of your leadership.

sports@cm-life.com