BY CLAY BRYCE | Ball State Sports Link

Through the silence of a warrior, there is passion and heart. These warriors lead by example. This is such the case with Ball State Outside Linebacker Christian Albright.

Albright, in his Junior year, has been a force to be reckoned with on the field. Racking up a total of 46 tackles and two forced fumbles on the season, Albright has shown his worth.

With the calm quiet demeanor of Christian Albright there has been success for the Ball State defense. Through his electrifying play he has found a formula that works for him. This is how Christian Albright gets dialed in.

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Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019:

8:30 a.m. alarm sounds in a hotel in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Christian Albright stays in his bed after ceasing the alarm. He scrolls through his notifications before he starts his day. Albright then rises from his bed to go to the bathroom to brush his teeth and take a shower.

Breakfast comes around at 9 a.m. and Albright is eager to get some food into his system. With limitless options to choose from, he likes to keep it simple with eggs, hash-browns, French toast, pancakes, and some sausage. With all of that food, it proves to be a fantastic predecessor to start off Albright’s day.

After achieving a full stomach, Albright takes some time to sit back and relax. He waits eagerly, thinking about the game to come.

One last meal is required to fuel the fire. His eyes are caught on chicken, green beans, and corn. The plate has now been fully devoured and all that he wants to do is sit back and relax. He pulls out his laptop and begins to work on some homework in the spare time that he has.

At 3:30 p.m. the team meets to reassess everything that they need to do against Western Michigan. During this time, Albright breathes in all of the information he can to try and further his success out on the field.

It’s 5:30 p.m. and the players head to pile onto the bus. Albright sits alone to zone in on the game. He pops in some ear buds and listens to some of his favorite artists. Young Thug, Future, and Meek Mill are just a few of those who he listens to.

The bus arrives at Waldo stadium and Albright immediately heads to the locker room. He begins to run through his equipment checklist; pants, long sleeve, mouthpiece, and the right sized pads.

Albright awaits to send himself to the trainer’s room to get taped up.

“I’m usually one of the last people to get in there for tape because I like to chill out by my locker for a little bit.”

Jalen Thomas and Jordan Williams are the teammates by Albright’s locker. While his other teammates are on their way to get taped Albright sits back to talk to Thomas and Williams.

“We talk about the game plan and what we are expecting to see going into the game.”

Albright heads to get taped up and then returns to his locker to relax. He is getting his emotions under way. Individual warm-ups are happening on the field, but he remains in the locker room.

Headphones are put back in and he closes his eyes.

“When I close my eyes, I just think about the plays I’ve seen in practice and the things I’ve seen on film. I try to think about my job for the day and how I’m going to execute it.”

For Albright to do his job, he uses his strength and size.

“I get in the mindset to just be physical all day and really just go out and dominate.”

The coaches come back into the locker room and sound for the team to head out to the field. Albright goes through the usual motions while trying to keep himself in his dominant mindset. He knows what he has to do to be the best player he can be out on the field and he is focusing on it.

The team heads back to the locker room for the final time before kickoff. While in the locker room the players gather around the coaches.

“I’m most ready to play right before we out after we have said a prayer with coach Neu.”

While heading out to the field he can feels the vibrations of the stadium under his feet. Hundreds upon thousands of fans are yelling relentlessly. In a hostile environment on the road, Albright is looking to capitalize off of everything he possibly can.

“I need to do what I need to, to help our team. Tunnel vision, you get locked in for the fame and do whatever it takes to help the team win.”

Albright runs out of the tunnel with his team and surveys Waldo stadium. He feels the energy and is ready to take the field.

Now 7 p.m., the time has finally come. Albright takes his stance up front. His job on the field is the only thing that matters to him. With his teammates rallied around him, Christian Albright is dialed in.