Wide Receiver Max Weisman Makes the Most of Every Moment
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Los Angeles Wide REceiver Max Weisman during his visit to Bloomington last week. Weisman participated in one of the Hoosiers summer camps. Photo Credit - Max Weisman
Written By: Nick Holmes (@HoosierHolmes)
Every time I have the opportunity to interview college football prospects I always come away more and more impressed by their level of maturity and outlook on life, and wide receiver Max Weisman is certainly no exception. The California kid is wise beyond his years, speaking frequently during our conversation about making the most of every moment in life. “You can always find something good in a negative situation, just have to maintain a positive outlook.”
The young player’s level of maturity is partly a product of the adversity he and his family were faced with a few years ago when his mother was diagnosed with cancer. Instead of letting the disease define her, Weisman’s mother Diane took cancer head-on and began researching tirelessly all the ways she could shift the odds in her favor.
Max recalls how his mother completely changed her diet to lower the risk of the disease having the final say on the outcome of her life. In fact, she turned what looked like a negative into a positive, as she started a web series educating others that were suffering from cancer on how important it is to eat the right way to give your body the best chance to fight the disease off.
The Los Angeles native saw his mom battle and defeat the insidious illness, knowing now more than ever to cherish each day. He has taken this to heart, applying it to every facet of his life, especially in how he trains for the game he loves. Now nearing the end of his prep career, he continues to fight for his chance to play Division I football.
In an effort to realize his dream of becoming a Division I football player, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound athlete took a week-long tour of the Midwest. After touching down in Indianapolis he, quarterback prospect and workout partner Andrew LaBruna, and LaBruna’s father made their way up to West Lafayette to check out Purdue’s campus, followed by a trip to Detroit, Michigan to take part in the Sound Mind and Body Camp at Macomb Dakota High School.
During the camp Weisman was able to hear from and talk to several Big Ten coaches, including Ohio State’s Urban Meyer, Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio, Penn State’s James Franklin, and Minnesota’s Jerry Kill, who were all keynote speakers at the event. He was also able to connect with some of the Hoosiers assistant coaches in attendance.
Former Indianapolis Colts and current Detroit Lions Coach Jim Caldwell also spoke to the campers about what it means and takes to be a professional football player. When the players were not listening to some of football’s brightest minds, they were out on the practice fields showcasing their talents and skills. Weisman exceled in wide receiver drills, so much so that he ended up in the elite group of wide receivers at the camp.
After putting his ability on display in Detroit, Weisman and the LaBruna’s drove to Yipsilanti, Michigan to check out Eastern Michigan’s campus and facilities. They then made the short trip to Ann Arbor where they got to check out the Big House, the Wolverine’s facilities, and even had a slice of pizza with Coach Jim Harbaugh. Next they made the trip to East Lansing to check out Michigan State prior to heading back south to the capital of Hoosier Nation.
While in Bloomington Weisman took part in one of IU’s summer football camps, an opportunity for under-the-radar players to boost their stock in hopes of landing an offer from the prospective school. Weisman was very pleased by the way he performed and conducted himself in drills. “I did really well at camp, dominated in one-on-ones,” said Weisman. “Had a great chance to talk to other coaches like Coach Shelby and Coach Inge.” The coaching staff was also apparently impressed, as he was given the opportunity to tour the Hoosier’s facilities the next morning.
Weisman was quite fond of what he saw and heard from the coaches. “Indiana is definitely a top school for me,” said Weisman. “The campus was beautiful, the coaches were genuine and cordial. IU is definitely a school I would love to go to. I was real happy that I made the trip out there.”
Beyond the coaching, facilities, and the allure of a great college town, another major factor in Weisman’s decision is getting a first-class education. The aspiring entrepreneur sees the Kelley School of Business as the ideal place to continue his schooling, helping him realize his aspirations of starting his own business one day.
Despite not having the gaudy statistics of some wide receiver prospects around the nation, Weisman still finds ways to make an impact on the gridiron. “In just two games I broke the Notre Dame High School pancake record for wide receivers,” said Weisman. “I’m one of the best blocking wide receivers in the nation. I’m relentless, have a high motor, and I play with a lot of heart. Regardless of the play call, I’m going to make my presence known.”
For the many successes he’s experienced, he is always quick to give credit to those who have had a hand in his life, helping him to develop as a person, student, and athlete. Being the only football player in his household he’s had to be very self-driven, however, his development as a wide receiver he credits to Jeff Johnson and Elite Athletes Performance Training in Los Angeles. “Jeff (Johnson) has taught me nearly everything I know about being a wide receiver.”
He acknowledges that the Hoosiers will be bringing in a much smaller class in 2016 than it has in recent seasons, but he remains optimistic that an offer could be on the way from his school of choice.
Wherever Weisman lands, that team will be getting a hardworking, self-driven, down-to-earth athlete, who isn’t afraid to mix it up with opposing defensive backs and linebackers.
And even though he has yet to land an offer, the only disappointment to come from his trip in the Midwest, he did not get a chance to stop by a White Castle.