Camdyn McKinley, known as Cam, is a fourth grader from Chandler, Arizona, with big dreams and an even bigger heart for football. Set to graduate with the class of 2033, Cam has been playing flag football since he was five years old and has already completed three seasons of tackle football.

Cam’s inspiration to play football came from watching the Oregon Ducks and his favorite quarterback, Marcus Mariota. “After watching him play, it made me really want to play football and be a quarterback just like him,” Cam recalls. His admiration for the game grew, and being a quarterback quickly became his passion. “I love playing football because there is so much going on. Being a quarterback gives me the chance to be in charge of the game, which is what I love the most. It also helps me develop better relationships with my teammates,” he explains.

To excel as a quarterback, Cam knows that rigorous training and strong communication are essential. “To be a great quarterback you have to train a lot and make sure your skills are the best they can be. It is also important to have good communication with your teammates and coaches. You really have to listen and be aware of what’s going on, on the field and around you,” he says.

Despite being a Seahawks fan, Cam’s current favorite quarterback is Brock Purdy. He admires Purdy’s resilience and determination. “I admire that Brock never gave up even after being referred to as Mr. Irrelevant. I also love that he grew up in Arizona playing football for the same leagues that I’m currently playing in,” Cam shares.

Football isn’t Cam’s only sport. He also plays baseball, excelling in positions like pitcher, shortstop, and catcher. “Playing catcher is my favorite because it’s never boring,” he adds. Cam recently attended the Elev8 Academy’s Youth Future Camp, which he describes as his favorite camp so far. “All of the coaches were very involved and made sure everything I did was done correctly,” he notes.

Cam has set both short-term and long-term goals for his football career. In the short term, he aims to maintain his position as QB1 for both his flag football team and his tackle football team. His long-term goal is to improve his throwing distance, especially as he adjusts to using a larger ball. “Moving up to a bigger ball is a little tougher to get the distance I’m used to,” he admits.

One of the biggest challenges Cam has faced as a quarterback is playing for teams that practice “daddy ball,” where a coach’s child is given preferential treatment. “Trying to fight for my spot as quarterback with a coach that won’t allow anybody else to play quarterback except their kid has been tough. I’ve overcome this by sticking through it and continuing to train hard to prove I deserve the position,” Cam says with determination.

Cam’s pre-game ritual is simple but effective. He warms up with some short passes to his dad and then gathers his team to run routes. While he doesn’t have any superstitions or elaborate rituals yet, this routine helps him get in the zone. “The most significant coach/mentor has honestly been my mom and dad. They are the ones that have helped me push through the hard times and convince me to move past them. They are the ones that put in the most time and money to help me reach my dream of playing in the NFL,” he says gratefully.

When asked what advice he would give to other young athletes, Cam says, “I would tell them to train hard and don’t let anyone or anything get in the way of your dreams.” This advice is born from his own experiences and determination to overcome obstacles.

Cam recently faced a significant setback when he got a serious cut above his knee while on vacation. The cut went down to the bone, requiring stitches and a month of limited activity. “I was told that if it split back open I’d have to have surgery, so I was very nervous to play football again after that. But, after having the doctor give me the okay to be active again, I’m back at it and doing what I love,” he shares.

Cam’s training schedule is packed with various sessions. He participates in group and private QB training with A2Z Sports Training, group QB training sessions with Elev8 Academy, and group speed and agility sessions with CAB Training. He also enjoys throwing a football with his dad or by himself into a net. “My most memorable moment so far is still my very first ever touchdown. It was the first season I played flag football and I wasn’t into being a quarterback just yet. It was a championship game and the ball was handed off to me. I took it and ran down the field for the game-winning touchdown,” Cam recalls with excitement.

Cam McKinley’s journey in football is just beginning, but his dedication, passion, and resilience are setting him up for a bright future. With the support of his family and coaches, Cam is determined to reach his goals and continue growing as a quarterback. Chandler, Arizona, has a rising star in Cam, and his story is one of inspiration and hard work.