Tobi Haastrup becomes top football recruit in Texas

Tobi Haastrup, a senior at Mayde Creek High School in Houston, has experienced a remarkable transformation in just one year. He went from being an unknown track athlete with no college football offers to one of the most desired recruits in the country. Born near London, Tobi moved to California before finally settling in Katy, Texas, with his family. He played soccer as a child and later focused on track and field, where he excelled as a sprinter and shot putter. In his junior year, a coach encouraged him to try football, noticing his size, speed, and intelligence. Tobi decided to give football a shot and found immediate success. His track background helped him adapt quickly. "Getting in that stance and exploding out is kind of the same as running," he said. After his first game, where he recorded five sacks, everything changed for him. He suddenly gained recognition as a three-star recruit, receiving nearly 20 college offers after just one game. Tobi expressed disbelief at how quickly his life turned around, saying it felt surreal. He credits his achievements to hard work, listening to advice, and faith. Tobi will play football at the University of Oregon while studying to become an orthopedic surgeon. He aims to continue achieving success both on the field and in his academic pursuits, emphasizing the importance of perseverance through tough times.