Stona stated he fell in love with American soccer after being invited to look at a recreation whereas finding out in South Carolina at Clemson College, whose group grew to become nationwide champions in 2017 and 2019.
He stated: “My first response once I bought to the stadium was ‘there’s lots of people right here’. I’m speaking the kind of crowd you’d see on the Olympics or World Championships – they usually had this at a school soccer recreation.
“I went to increasingly video games, grew to become extra , then began watching the NFL. Then my targets simply kind of shifted and I believed, ‘I might need a shot at this. I ought to strive it out.’
A dreamer? Naive? Maybe.
Nonetheless, Stona describes himself as a “visible learner” in a position to excellent a method simply by watching and repeating the method.
After being invited to work out with the Inexperienced Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints final spring, Stona determined to participate in all of the observe drills. An uncommon transfer, however having by no means performed the game earlier than he was not sure if he was finest suited to play offence or defence.
These periods have been additionally the primary time he had worn American soccer gear, together with a helmet.
“Up till then I would solely seen the game from the fan standpoint, however then I went into these buildings and the coaches have been speaking about particular performs to run,” he stated. “It was unusual studying a brand new language.”
Coaches earmarked Stona as finest suited to play tight finish, catching passes, though his most well-liked place and the one he wish to pursue is defensive finish, tasked with pressuring the quarterback.
“I am a little bit of a sponge,” he added. “Going behind the scenes, you see simply how a lot technique is concerned within the recreation, however I’ve plenty of curiosity.
“Something you do for the primary time you get nervous, however my complete life has been competing at a excessive stage, so I catch on quick. I’m very coachable.”
What Stona lacks in expertise on a soccer area he greater than makes up for in athleticism and physicality – he listed at 6ft 6in and simply shy of 19st. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein has highlighted Stona’s “excellent dimension, size, musculation and explosiveness”.
Nonetheless, the notes on his weaknesses pointed to the actual fact he’s new to the sport and that he displayed “some stiffness in lateral actions”.
Stona says he’s beneath no phantasm about how a lot work it’s prone to take to even make an NFL roster, not to mention take to the sector.
He’s conscious a whole bunch have tried, and few have succeeded, together with athletes from backgrounds nearer to American soccer.
For now, ideas of defending his Olympic title in Los Angeles in 2028 are on the again burner.
A aggressive fireplace rages inside him, usually fuelled by the response from those that are sceptical he can obtain his aim.
“I feel it is 100% attainable,” he stated. “In the event you do not consider it could possibly occur, it most likely will not occur.
“I perceive the work I’ve to place in. Discus took time. Soccer will take a while. I see a number of the feedback already, however I do not put limits on myself.”