Since he was a kid, Carolina's Tyrell Godwin has prioritized his life. He wanted to be high school valedictorian. Done. He wanted to go to college and play two sports. He's doing it. Then he hopes to play for pay this May. So, explain why Tyrell Godwin turned down a million bucks from the New York Yankees a year ago:
"If I would have jumped to baseball, I would have been leaving out some big parts of my goals in life," Godwin explained.
This spring, Godwin finished fourth in batting for the Tar Heel baseball team and hit four deep ones. This fall, Tyrell is trying to cover the deep ones as a cornerback, a new position for the former East Bladen runningback.
"In high school, as long as Tyrell scored five touchdowns, I could do whatever I wanted to do in practice," Godwin admitted. "In practice out here, you have to work to earn your position, because somebody is working behind you to take it."
The switch to corner has challenged Godwin, but he is being tutored by one of the best, All-American Dre Bly.
"He's quick as a cat, and he's the only guy I've seen recover within two steps if he misses a stab off the line of scrimmage," said Bly.
"I think he has more confidence in me right now than I might have in myself, truthfully," Godwin admitted.
With more schooling from Bly and practice repetitions, Godwin's confidence will grow and so will his playing time. It's all a part of growing up and a segment of Tyrell Godwin's life that he didn't want to pass up. Reporter/Photographer: Jeff Gravley
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