Freshman Caiden Izzard has been a starter for the varsity football team since the first game of the season. Over the summer, he trained by going to a strength and conditioning program called Bigger, Faster, Stronger. This included 30 minutes of agility drills and 30 minutes in the weight room each day for four days each week. 

Izzard attended the UMD football camp this summer along with his teammates. During the camp, his coaches told him that he was going to be suiting up for the varsity game. It was a complete fresh start; there were people he had never played with and brand new things for him to learn. 

“I was nervous in the moment. During UMD camp, me and the oher freshman were on JV getting ready for the game. I was told to keep my pads on to suit up for the varsity game,” said Izzard.

Izzard looks up to senior offensive and defensive lineman Garet Rivord. Rivord has been on the team for four years and was there to take Izzard under his wing right away. Rivord helped Izzard adjust to all the new changes and opportunities he was going to have this season. 

“We’re held to higher standards than other sports so showing him the rights and wrong was very important to do earlier on in the season. I made sure I was someone he could trust right away on the team. I wanted him to feel like he could come to me with anything. He knows football. I didn’t have to help with anything like that. He’s got a bright future and I can’t wait to watch him later on in his career,” said Rivord. 

This season, Izzard’s focus was to understand the changes to offense that had come with having a new coach. His goal was to keep improving his skills.