LAKE MARY, Fla. — Lake Mary returns a very talented offense to the football field in 2023. One leader is senior offensive lineman Joshua Raymond. Even during a very productive and busy summer, he is still putting in the work. And it all starts in the weight room.

“This is where you have to out-work the other athletes,” he said.

He practices what he preaches. Most days during the summer, he does two workouts a day.

“I go to Trenchman Academy,” said Raymond. “So literately right after the gym, 2 hours later I’m back on the field.”

Part of his workout routine is different. Raymond and his offensive line teammates have a unique skill set which requires unique drills.

“We go into the mat room and we do a lot of punching, a lot of hip movements, kind of like what wrestlers do or sumo wrestlers. These big fat guys who can move like incredibly, so why not learn from them?” he said. “I’m not catching a ball down the field. I really run like 5 yards. Why not do a 100 sets here instead of running a 100 yard sprint?”

Some of these exercises are designed to prevent injury rather than building muscle.

“A lot of lineman, they get shoulder pain. So is just to stay loose, stay limber,” Raymond said.

All these unique wrestling drills helped him accomplish a goal. In June, he decided where he wanted to play college football.

“I’m going to Vanderbilt University. My dream is the NFL, and the coach sent guys just like me because I am not the biggest o-lineman,” he said. “I don’t weigh 320 pounds, but I’m fast and athletic and he noticed that. He can build me into an NFL lineman.”

But it wasn’t only what he does on the field that is important to his family. It’s also the academic opportunities that Vanderbilt provides, even though he hasn’t chosen a major.

“My mom has her doctorates, so school has always been a big thing and I have no idea what I want to do. I just love football, so that is what I am chasing, but I will figure it out when I get there,” he said.

Raymond has been playing football since the 9th grade, but he grew up playing soccer until he grew too big.

“I’m running kids over. I had to switch because I’m killing kids in soccer, so it was time to play football,” said Raymond.

He still has his senior year to play at Lake Mary, but he is looking forward to playing in the SEC.

“I can’t wait to play the competition, best of the best,” he said. “I think I can be the best, so playing the best will help me get to that goal.”

His goal is to make it to the NFL. The Lake Mary Rams begin their 2023 season at home against Dr. Phillips on Aug. 25.