While he certainly is athletic, Jeremy McLean is not one of those naturally-gifted athletes who can coast on athletic ability alone.

McLean is definitely athletic, but talk to his coaches and one thing is very clear: work ethic is a key cog in what makes him successful on the football field.

When Cliff Freeman first coached McLean a few seasons ago, McLean was about the middle of the pack when it came to the speed tests.

But soon, McLean was among the fastest players on Freeman鈥檚 team.

And that describes McLean perfectly: a hard worker who wills his way to success.

鈥淗e has worked his way up to where he is,鈥� Freeman said. 鈥淕ood work ethic, good kid.

鈥淗e is one of those guys, whatever he does, he will probably be successful just because he has such a hard work ethic.鈥�

Freeman has coached McLean the past three years with the 91原创 Minor Football Association.

McLean is a converted defensive back, having played linebacker for his first few seasons.

The 16-year-old has played the sport for six years, but as the players around him grew, it became pretty evident that his body type 鈥� he is now six-foot-one and 175-pounds 鈥� was not suited for the rigours of playing linebacker.

But wanting to remain on the defensive side of the ball, McLean switched to defensive back.

鈥淚 was a little underweight,鈥� he said. 鈥�(But) I didn鈥檛 want to abandon all those (defensive) drills.

鈥淎nd everything just transitioned nicely for me.鈥�

The move has paid off.

Last week, McLean was in Lethbridge, Alta. as part of Team B.C. at the U18 2011 Football Canada Cup. B.C. won bronze in the eight-team event.

鈥淚t was a big goal for me to make this team,鈥� McLean admitted prior to leaving for the event.

鈥淚t was something I had to do or else (I knew) football wasn鈥檛 for me.

鈥淚 knew I should make it, talent-wise.鈥�

He credits his ability to think the game and his foot speed as his greatest attributes.

鈥�(Speed) is what the whole game is based on basically for me,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f I can鈥檛 keep up with the receiver, there is no point in even trying to cover him.鈥�

McLean thanked his track coach for helping him work on his foot speed.

The fact he is succeeding in the game comes back to his work ethic.

鈥淗e has got a great work ethic,鈥� said former CFLer Will Loftus, who has worked with McLean the past two years as part of Game Ready Fitness, a local youth development program that strives to instill confidence in its players, both on and off the field.

鈥淲hen you tell him something, he is able to process it and put it to use on the field, so he is a great learner that way,鈥� Loftus added.

鈥淗is speed has come, his footwork has come, he has taken all of the knowledge and been able to apply it to become one of the best players in the province for his age group.鈥�

鈥淗e is a reliable guy who you know will do his job,鈥� Freeman said, adding that McLean is more of a quiet leader on the field who lets his play do the talking.

McLean, who enters Grade 11 at Walnut Grove Secondary in September, is also moving up to the midget level with 91原创 Minor Football in the fall.

Beyond that, he has his sights set on playing university football.

鈥淪ky鈥檚 the limit; it is whatever he wants to do with his potential,鈥� Loftus said. 鈥淭here are no barriers holding him back.

鈥淎s long as he stays healthy, he will be able to fulfill his dreams.鈥�

鈥⑩赌⑩赌⑩赌⑩赌�

Former LMF player Jake Heathcote was also on the B.C. roster.

The 91原创 linebacker, who plays for Abbotsford鈥檚 W.J. Mouat Hawks, earned defensive player of the game honours in the team鈥檚 first game.