New Canaan High School football coach Lou Marinelli likes to joke that one of the worst coaching moves he has ever made was trying to dissuade Zach Renner from playing major college ball.
Renner, who made the University of Georgia as a walk-on, blocked a punt before halftime of Saturday’s 45-19 loss to Tennessee. It was the third block of the redshirt sophomore’s career.
After special teams practice on Sunday, Bulldogs coach Mark Richt ended his usual announcements by saying he wanted to see Renner.
“I was kind of nervous,” Renner said.
Richt told Renner he had an extra scholarship and was giving it to him for the rest of the season.
“I was speechless,” Renner said. “It’s pretty exciting.”
Renner than called Marinelli with the good news.
Renner blocked punts in consecutive games last year against Arizona State and Alabama.
So what is his secret?
“People keep asking me that,” Renner said. “Our special teams coach said I just have the knack for blocks. I just try to capitalize on any opportunity to help the team. On the one Saturday I didn’t think I’d get there.”
Renner said scholarships are given on a year to year basis, so he doesn’t know whether it will extend beyond this season.
Whether it does or not, Renner’s accomplishment has to be the feel-good story of the fall. He is an inspiration to any young football player.
“I came out as a freshman here and it was unreal,” Renner said. “The speed and the pace of the game. I just feel fortunate and I’m having a lot of fun.”
This is a great story of an athlete who believed in himself to achieve the impossible. It goes to show that if you have the desire, you can play college football and earn a scholarship to do so.
Comment by Sean — October 13th, 2009 @ 11:53 pm