SPRING HILL, Fla. — The college recruiting process can be a slow, arduous one sometimes. For Springstead High School senior Cross Licht, his recruiting process has taken a couple of turns. There is no doubt that when he steps foot on campus, he will attack whatever challenges are in his way the same way he attacked challenges for the Eagles.

Springstead assistant coach Frank Hynes had a front row seat for Licht’s growth as a football player and the driving force in his high school success.

“Cross is one of the most driven players on the field I have had the pleasure to coach,” Hynes said. “If we needed one yard or 100, he would do everything in his power to help his team get that yard, either with the ball in his hand, blocking to get that yard, or even being a decoy in our option attack.”

That willingness to do whatever it takes showed up in Licht’s senior season. In nine games, Licht had 82 carries for 569 yards and four touchdowns on the ground while tallying 13 catches for 114 yards and three more scores. He also chipped in 53 kick return yards and 28 punt return yards. That performance earned him first team All-Conference honors in the Gulf Coast 8.

That production was no accident, either. Licht’s hard work and dedication drove him to excel and it started as a freshman.

“He came in like most freshmen,” Hynes said. “Undersized but wanting an opportunity. [Freshmen] work hard but tend to settle. Cross was driven. He had some success his freshman year in JV and fell in love with the weight room. He began outworking everyone, but the best aspect is that he would motivate others to do the same. His body caught up with his work ethic, and the sky and beyond is the limit for him because of that work ethic.”

Hall of fame quarterback Peyton Manning understands what makes a player valuable to a football team. He won five Most Valuable Player awards during his playing career.

“The most valuable player is the one who makes the most players valuable,” is how Manning described valuable players.

According to Hynes, Licht brought value to his teammates on and off the field.

“He is a silent motivator, he leads by example,” Hynes said. “He will get on a teammate when needed, but he will also be the one to pick them up when needed.”

Licht verbally committed to play for Warner University but has not signed yet. While the process of deciding where he will play college ball continues, wherever he ends up will be getting a young man who works hard on and off the field.

“He works just as hard in the classroom as he does in the weight room and on the field,” Hynes said.

If Licht continues to work with the same ethic that led to success for the Eagles, success will follow him wherever he goes.

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