Cam McDaniel waited patiently throughout his senior year while other running backs, with comparable numbers, racked up the offers.
Even though he wondered what God had planned for him, he watched while other schools seemed to ignore him, but he never once complained.
With his future hanging in the balance he trusted that there was a divine plan for him, and then on November 29, 2010, he stepped into his coach's office and received an offer to play football at Notre Dame. McDaniel accepted pretty much on the spot and thought the rest was history.
What he didn't realize was the Lord was just getting started.
Last night, at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, McDaniel was named Ford Motor Company's "Built Ford Tough Player of the Year" for class 5-A.
To be eligible for this award a player had to be nominated once throughout the 10-week season as the "Ford Built Tough Player of the Week." Then at the end of the season, Ford and its advisory board, would choose one player from each of the classes to be Player of the Year. The criteria for judging included:
1. The performance on the field, including significant stats from that weeks game.
2. How they contributed to their team success through their individual leadership abilities.
3. Their success off the field, including academics and community citizenship.
McDaniel was nominated in week nine of the 2010 season for his performance against Keller, in which Coppel won 56 - 16.
He carried the ball 20 times for 265 yards and four touchdowns (33, 79, 20 and 59 yards). He also returned a punt 80 yards for another touchdown, giving him five in the game.
"I was a little bit surprised," said McDaniel. "It was just an honor to be there with all those guys, 55 or so tremendous athletes, I mean it was fun.
"I'm giving all the praise and glory to God on this, he's just good all the time. It's just a tremendous honor to be named one of the top players in the state."
What made it even more special was where the ceremony was held.
" It was just such an awesome moment to be in Cowboys Stadium and in the Cowboys locker room around that type setting," he said.
Being overlooked by recruiters has not only allowed him to grow in faith in God, but also his faith in his self.
"I really love a challenge and that's just the type of person I am," he said. "When someone tells me I can't do something, I just love it. It's almost like telling me, 'go ahead I dare you', so I see that as a challenge and I'm a competitive person who wants to win.
"I had some people asking me last night, 'What is it like to win an award like that?'
"I mean victory is always sweet and receiving awards is always great, but it's when people doubt you and don't think you have all the capabilities to be great. That's when you go and prove them all wrong, that makes it so much sweeter.
"When those people are doubting me and don't believe in my potential, I remember who I'm serving and remember my God is bigger than anybody. He gives me the ability to do the things I do and with him all things are possible, and that's the way I look at it.
All those naysayers beware.
"I don't care what anybody else says about me, because I'm going to get to where I want to go." said the Texas star. "I'm going to work my tail off and I'm going to do what is necessary to get there."
