WR Caleb Eagans (Mary Hardin-Baylor)
Draft Journal Entry #1
My name is Caleb Eagans, and I am a wide receiver at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas. I am known to be the first college football player to be in my last year of eligibility working on my second Master’s Degree. I am a 2021 NFL draft prospect and looking forward to playing my last season. I was recruited to run track and play football at Texas A&M University where I received my Bachelor’s degree in the Health and Kinesiology Department, as well as a minor in Business Administration. I graduated with Honors after having a 2.1 GPA, which led to me almost getting put on athletic academic probation.
This all happened while dealing with the passing of my mother, Danna Eagans. She was diagnosed in February of 2015 and passed away September 16th 2015 due to stage 4 cancer, which was unexpected. She is the sole reason why I keep a relentless attitude and a strong work ethic. I believe in the phrase “More Than an Athlete” and believe that adversity helps you grow and makes you stronger. To add on adversity, I suffered an injury late in fall camp right before my first game which should have been my last year of football at East Central University. I got my Master’s Degree there in Sports Administration. Spring ball was great for me as well as the game with a great fall camp. NFL scouts came to watch me, and I had spring grades for the 2020 NFL draft. I had a sports hernia and had a groin tear that I had surgery on.
I’m thankful because I’m now faster and stronger, and it has led me to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor where they have the program I need. I am closer to my hometown back in Texas, and it has led me to life-long relationships with people who I’ve met since I started school in the spring. I believe this is a school where I can flourish on and off the field. It feels like a right fit with my head coach, Pete Fredenburg, and my wide receiver coach, Steven Thrash. It was a leap of faith for me to be at this program because I had to get a waiver from the NCAA with my hardship to attend the university. I had spent many nights praying I would get approved after I had already applied and started classes. I’m glad the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and the coaching staff took the right steps and followed the rules and guidelines by the NCAA.
