BRADENTON, Fla. – There are many ways an athlete can inspire.
CJ McRae, senior at Lakewood Ranch, leads by example.
“CJ is a special young man. He approaches every day with fortitude. He approaches every day with grace,” said head coach Scott Paravicini. “He lights up the room when he walks in the room. His teammates respond to him and he leads in a really positive way.”
The running back was a crucial part of the Mustangs offense, averaging five yards per carry in 2023. But this year he’s raising the bar.
“I want to rush for 100 yards every game so I can have 1,000 yards by the end of the season. And the team goal is to go undefeated,” McRae said.
You will notice his speed and agility on the field.
“I think my strength is speed. I’m not the biggest guy out here, but I feel like I play like I’m the biggest guy. I’m fast and tricky. There are always ways to get ahead,” McRae said.
He also brings strength.
“When CJ gets the ball, he’s patient, he waits and then he explodes,” Paravicini said. “I think that change of pace where he’s patient, he follows his blockers and then when he sees the crease, he explodes is what separates him from a lot of other guys who just have pure speed.”
Even though McRae is starting a new season, he has not lost sight of his love for the game.
“The feeling is just incomparable, to go out here, give a big speech to the whole school and then perform while the people from your school and your family are just watching you, I just feel free out here,” McRae said.
Paravicini said his positive attitude was contagious.
“You can just see how much fun he’s having. He’s having fun. That’s how he is in school, that’s how he is in the classroom, that’s how he is in the weight room, that’s how he is on the field. He’s just fun to be around.”
And this joy fills everyone around him.
