College Commits: Aydin Eklund

Photo provided by Aydin Eklund.

Izzy Pack

Aydin Eklund, currently a senior at Hamilton, has been playing football for 9 years. He recently committed to playing college football at UW Oshkosh.

Eklund’s teammate, senior John Baker, says about him, “Playing these last four years with Aydin was great, he always had something positive to bring to the team. Most of all, it was clear through all the work he put in that football meant everything to him.”

One of his current high school coaches, Coach Neary, also says about Eklund, “I am beyond proud of Aydin Eklund and his commitment to play football at UW-Oshkosh next year! It has been a lot of fun to see the growth Aydin has shown in the last 4 years on the football field but more importantly himself. He has made huge strides in being a better student, a better person and a better football player. His work ethic and attention to details is very unique for high school student athletes and his improvement in all those areas show that. So happy for him, he has worked his tail off and has gone out and earned everything.”

How long have you been playing?

I started playing tackle football when I was 8 so just about 9 years.

What is your favorite memory from football?

My sophomore year when I made the playoff roster and for the first time I suited up with Austin.

What do you think is your favorite/best football goal you've accomplished

One of the things coach Gumm always talks about in meetings is your WHY. My WHY was to create my own legacy and not live in my brothers. This year was my final year to accomplish it and I feel like I did.

What will you miss most about playing for Hamilton?

The relationships I’ve built with my teammates. The senior group has always been close but I feel like even the underclassmen and the entire team felt like a big friend group.

How has football impacted your life?

Football has always been something in my life that I’ve cared a lot about. When coming to high school I didn’t take a lot of things seriously, which impacted my football games and practices. It helped me take things seriously and grow as a person.

What is one lesson you've learned from football?

*Photo provided by Aydin Eklund. Photo credit Nick Lykins.*

Control the controllables. This means the things you can control like effort, energy and leadership are things you can always give 100% at. You can’t control other people’s thoughts and opinions. What you can control is what you need to focus on, not what you can’t.

What was the recruitment process like for you?

Originally, I had no interest in playing college football. When Oshkosh got into contact with me I always kept it in the back of mind. After football season I put more thought into it and felt I still had more to prove in football leading me to make the decision to play.

What is one thing that a coach has told you that you will carry into playing in college?

Enjoy the journey more than the destination. I’m starting all over again as a freshman at the bottom. At times it might not be fun and will suck, but those are the times you enjoy and think about more than the destination you reached.

What advice do you have for younger players?

Find out why you play. Be 100% honest with yourself and remember that why will make all the workouts, 7 on 7s, and so much more become easy because your why decides your what.