TAMPA, Fla. — Each step has a purpose, each throw is deliberate.

There is a method to this football madness for Vidal Woodruff.

“I’m going to go around when he claps, I turn around,” Vidal said as he runs through a drill. “He claps again. I’m turning around. When he wants the ball, he’ll let me know when to release.”

For as long as he can remember, football’s been a part of Vidal’s life. The former Carrollwood Day School quarterback feels at home when his feet are solidly on a football field. That’s why he runs through the paces with former Tampa Bay Bucs wide receiver Donteea Dye.

He’s always working on perfecting his craft and staying ready. Coming off a stint with the Atlanta team of the Fan Controlled League, Vidal keeps working to get better.

“It takes a lot,” he said. “Countless, countless hours, early mornings, late nights. This is always what matters.”

Vidal has a simple answer whenever anyone asks why? Why get up early every morning? Why push his body to the limits with these workouts? Why doesn’t he just quit football?

“Just the passion and having the glory for the game,” he said. “Just having the constant talks with myself to want to get better. Just have the want to and the effort and every year, I feel my game going up levels and levels. So, I feel it’s important that I keep going until I can’t anymore.”

It actually started on the field at Skyway Park, where he works out. Vidal played for the Tampa Bay Youth Football League Packers. He won a Super Bowl. He also played some of his high school games here. Now, his career has literally brought him full circle.

“It brings back a lot of memories,” he said. “Just being blessed to come back out here, still being able to perfect my craft where I was six years old on this field. It’s a blessing to still be here and continue to get better on the same stomping grounds.”

Next up for Vidal is the XFL Draft. He hopes he can land with a team. If not, he can always return to the Fan Controlled League. There are plenty of options. And Vidal is grateful for every single one . Because he’s not ready to give up on this dream.

“Just being able to get to the highest level of competitive football is everything,” Vidal said. “Just being able to critique myself and perfect my craft every day, it’s getting me to the highest level, and that’s the primary goal and blessing. I just got to keep pushing forward. I just have every reason in the world to.”