Dear Drew,
You don’t know us, but we know you. After the Wall Street Journal article about pressure — and then the OT loss to Oregon that followed — we wanted to write you a note.
You see, as a five-star recruit, an NFL-sized quarterback, and the hopes of an entire program looking to you to end a 39-year national title drought, we wanted to sync up.
That’s a heavy load to carry. A lot of weight on your shoulders. But you’re not alone. Countless athletes before you — and countless more after you — have felt what you’re feeling right now.
Here’s the truth: You don’t need saving. You need tools.
When you said, “I’m just overthinking it,” we immediately thought of the AthletesClass Season Zero principles:
Process Over Results
Everyone wants the championship, the perfect stat line, the moment. But outcomes aren’t in your control. Your process is. Every rep, every decision, every breath — that’s where your power lives.
Simplify
You're carrying history, expectations, and NFL scouts all at once. But football is still 11 vs. 11. Quiet the noise. Trust the work. Think less, do more.
Mental Shift
Interceptions happen. Missed reads happen. OT losses happen. Mental Shift isn't about avoiding mistakes. It's about bouncing forward quicker when they happen. How fast? That fast.
Imagery
The night before. The morning of. Walking into overtime. What picture are you building? See yourself making the throw before it happens. Mind leads, body follows.
Self-Talk
What’s your voice between plays? “Don’t screw up” or “Next play, let’s go”? Your words shape your game. Choose them carefully. Fire yourself up.
Consistency
The world wants a viral highlight. But greatness grows little by little, rep by rep. Repetition removes doubt. That’s where champions are built.
Drew — you’re not just Penn State’s quarterback. You’re a metaphor for every athlete crushed by expectation, judged by wins and losses, and left to wonder if they’re enough.
We see you. We see all of you. And we’re here.
Now, you've got a new slate today. Head down, and go get ’em!.
— AthletesClass
