Amazing photo credit to Jim Schult.
Brady Wik is class of 2023 cornerback out of Kings High in Kings Mill, Ohio. The 6’2″, 170 pound senior is new to the game of football, as he put on his shoulder pads for the first time about three months ago. So far, he has balled out for the Knights, grabbing three interceptions in the first two games of the season so far while managing a 4.0 GPA. Earlier, I had the honor of talking with the new player to ask him some questions.
Q: Why do you start to play the game now?
“I’ve played soccer my whole life… last year our whole team was full of seniors, so it felt like I was going to be the only one left. My whole life I’ve been pretty athletic and my parents told me I’d be pretty good at football. So I figured ‘why not try it out? I’ve got nothing to lose.'”
Q: How do you balance sports with your other responsibilities?
“I’m not gonna say sports comes first, but I try to do my schoolwork and get it done… so I can focus on sports. [Schoolwork is my priority, so when I’m done, I can put all my focus on sports.]”
Q: What challenges have you overcome in your three-month football career?
“I’d say the hardest thing for me has been gaining experience and getting all the plays memorized. [Another challenge is] trying to read what the offense is going to do before the ball snaps. [To overcome it,] a lot of it is watching film, and even practicing all of the plays. [I’ve been] watching the recievers and watching what they do, and then going back and looking over it once I get home.”
Q: Where do you see football going in your life?
“I’m not really sure. I didn’t really go into it intending to go play in college or anything, but if I’m good enough to get a solid offer, I would totally take a chance and go play.”
Q: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far playing football?
“I think that you can’t do anything yourself. Everything revolves around the team as a whole. We have a saying for our defense: We. [It means] We stand together, and there’s no I in team. You really can’t do anything by yourself. If one person falls, the whole team is going to fall.”
Q: What are some goals you’ve set for yourself?
“[Of course,] I would not like to get scored on for the remainder of the season. I’d also like to get the school record in interceptions this year.”
Q: How do you stay trained and in sports-shape during the offseason?
“I lift almost three times a week, that helps a lot. I also go to offseason training and conditioning, all of that. I make sure not to have an off-day, I’ll get up and be active. No off-days.”
Q: Do you have a favorite football memory so far?
“That first game against Sycamore High, I had three interceptions. I was pretty pumped. [To make it better,] we came up with a shutout and won 34-0. Great first game.”
Q: What is something coaches should know about you, current or at the next stage?
“I’m a very hard worker, I don’t take things light. I don’t like losing.”
