Nasir Player (Columbia, South Carolina) is a redshirt senior on the Bucs football team, serving as defensive end.
           

Nasir Player

From ages 7-12, Player grew up playing flag football in Germany, where football was not offered. “When I got back to the states, I wanted to play football,” says Player.

He started playing in middle school as a quarterback. As time went on, he developed his body and muscles to where he was big enough to be considered a defensive player. When he went into high school at Ridge View in South Carolina, he played all four years, finishing with over 100 tackles, nine sacks, four forced fumbles and two recovered.

After high school, Player was offered by several division 2 schools. “I felt it (ETSU) was the best offer at the time,” says Player. He redshirted as a freshman in 2015.

With his time at ETSU he as accomplished a great deal on the football field. His first year he was named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman Team, recording a season high eight solo tackles. His sophomore and junior year saw success as well, being named First Team All-SoCon and to the Phil Steele Magazine All-American Second Team and the American Football Coaches Association FCS Coaches All-American Second Team.

As for his senior year, he was recognized as the Phil Steel Preseason SoCon Defensive Player of the Year, along with several other acknowledgements.

On the academic side, Player is majoring in sports management. He hopes to get a career as a coach or anything involved with management.

Player has been around football most of his life. With all four years in high school and college it has been a sole focus. “I just like playing,” says Player. He stays highly motivated each time he steps on the field. “I always hold myself to a standard, and I know I can always do better,” says Player.

Player is even considered to be an NFL prospect. For the moment he is focusing on his last season with the Bucs.

Player advises anyone interested in playing football to keep working and be patient. “Everything is a process, don’t give up on the process,” says Player.  

Author