PALM COAST, FLA -- Five rounds. Mostly supersets inside a hot garage.
Sweat is pouring off Devon Conkrite's face as he musters the strength to complete each grueling rep. A voluntary workout is mandatory for Devon's journey.
“It’s going to mean a lot to me to get to a point where I’m going to be successful," the FPC senior lineman says, "but at the end of the day, the stuff that happened that got me to that point I’m thankful for it but everybody’s got a story.”
Devon's story is not finished. It's currently highlighted by uncertainty and optimism.
It started in Springfield, Illinois; a place Devon and his family felt provided more obstacle than opportunity.
“Doubts around us, very near around us were happening very quickly due to drugs," said Devon's mother Tina Hamilton. "Things around us were crumbling very quickly.”
A proud family, Devon's inspiration came from his dad, John.
“I’m trying to do him proud," Devon said. "I know football is something he loved and something he passed on to me.”
Devon never intended to play football. Instead he focused on basketball and other sports.
His outlook, more importantly, his world changed on March 24, 2015. John was killed in a car accident.
“It wasn’t necessarily like emotion. I was said because it happened so quick. It was just like instinct. I started crying.”
“Since his dad, a couple family members were lost after that," Tina said. "There was just an urgency for me, do whatever I had to do to get my family out of that town.”
Two years following John's death, Devon and his family moved to Palm Coast. In the meantime, Devon decided he'd give football a shot.
“I’m trying to do him proud," Devon said. "I know football is something he loved and something he passed on to me.”
Son has made Dad proud. He was a three-year starter for Flagler Palm Coast earning numerous honors in the process.
The natural next step is college football. Devon felt at home when he committed to Florida Tech a few months back.
“When I sat down and had my one on one with Coach Englehart, I just knew I wanted to be there and from that day forward I was just ready to get to Florida Tech.”
Earlier this month, Florida Tech announced the elimination of its football program due to economic uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus.
“It’s really caught me off guard and it’s definitely hard looking back at what I thought was going to be my next four years.”
Devon's looking for a new home. His recruitment is starting from scratch. Because of his past, setbacks motivate his future success.
“He has a better understanding than a lot of kids who would give up when they’re hit with that type of adversity," said FPC Strength and Condition Coach Chris Parks. "He just kept grinding.”
The future is uncertain for Devon Conkrite. He doesn't know where he'll end up, he knows how his story will end.
"There are rainy days before it gets sunny out. I just got to stay the course.”
