SEFFNER, Fla. -  Armwood defensive tackle Clyde Pinder Jr. is known as the humble beast. Clyde prefers action over words: Allowing his play on the field to speak for him. Clyde transferred into Armwood last summer. He felt like an instant fit with the Hawks.

“Here at Armwood it is a lot of working,” said Clyde. “And I felt like me, as a player, I feel like I am a good, hard worker. So I felt like Armwood was the place to be to push me even more.”

Clyde recently received his 4^th star from Rivals.com. But he doesn’t let that type of publicity go to his head. His answer for the honor is hard work and faith.

“It’s just a blessing because I have been praying for this every night and it is starting to come true,” Clyde said.  

Clyde is ranked as the 22^nd best defensive tackle in the nation. With close to two-dozen college offers, his head coach, Evan Davis, understands the craze for the big man in the middle of his defense.   

“The program that lands Clyde, they are getting a phenomenal person and a football player that has a lot of upside to him,” said Davis.

The college team that lands Clyde will also get a true student-athlete. Clyde has a plan that goes well-beyond his days on the gridiron.

“Construction Management,” said Clyde with a big smile.  

Clyde’s father, Clyde Sr., owns a construction company. He says he would love to follow in his father’s footsteps and have his own company one day. As Clyde goes on college visits, his family is right there with him appreciating all that will come with a college scholarship.

“They know that I don’t have to pay for college and that is just a big relief to me and to them and to the rest of my family, because a lot of people in my family didn’t make it to college,” said Clyde.

Clyde is all for setting a new trend for his family. But before he takes that next step in his football career, he wants to close this chapter with a state title at Armwood.

“I feel like that is a big, big thing that we need to do. Bring it home for the seniors, 2020,” said Clyde.

Clyde is nowhere close to his full potential. He knows that. And he will approach his game and his life with the intent of getting better every day.

“The painter doesn’t think about the big picture the whole time,” said Davis. “He paints all those little details and then steps back and sees it all.”

When Clyde Pinder Jr. finally steps back to look at his life, he might just see a masterpiece.