CLEARWATER, FL - In a tiny gym in Clearwater, big dreams are being shaped one rep at a time.

“You gotta have the right music, man, it is all mental,” said Julian Baldi.

He’s a football player from Italy. No, not futbol as in soccer, but actual American football. He was introduced to the sport in a unique way.

“One day I was watching the movie with Adam Sandler, I think it’s called ‘The Longest Yard’,” said Baldi, referring to the 2005 remake movie starring Sandler and Chris Rock. “It really got me intrigued, like, okay, what is this? Because I had seen it in a lot of movies.”

Baldi became obsessed with the sport. He would go from playing for a club team to playing for the Italian national team. As he went through high school, Baldi knew that if he truly loved football, he’d have to leave his family and come to the United States. So he did.

“I was on a mission,” said Baldi. “Once that plane landed I had tunnel vision. I am here for a goal, for a specific goal to play college football. Nothing else mattered. I had to find a way to make it happen.”

Baldi spent his senior year at Clearwater Academy International. A small school looking to do the same thing as him – prove they belonged in football.

“Julian is unique,” said CAI Football coach Jesse Chinchar. “He is willing to do whatever it takes to make it and I think that’s what’s so cool about him.”

After graduation Baldi headed to Iowa to play at Ellsworth Junior College. It was there that Baldi took his game to a new level.

“My physicality and my athleticism – it helped me improve in those two seasons for sure,” Baldi said.

The Italian linebacker also grew in the weight room. Baldi’s commitment to fitness and training has made believers out of others.

“I don’t have many athletes that have quite that much drive,” said trainer Felix Lopez, who owns BulletProof Athletics in Clearwater. “I have seen a lot of people work, maybe as well in terms of movement or whatever it is. But in terms of what he is looking for, and getting to that goal, I don’t see that in a lot of people.”

Baldi’s also won over fans on social media. His TikTok videos have gone viral. Including one picked up by popular sports blogging site Barstool Sports.

“Even coaches recognized me,” said Baldi. “So, I think it really helped me to put my name even more out there, which is great.”

Baldi continued to build his brand to earn that college scholarship. Last month he attended several football camps wearing his Twitter handle on the back of his shirt and even handing out business cards to coaches.

“A saying I like to say is ‘separate to elevate’,” said Baldi with a smile. “You have to be different to get noticed.”

“That’s not new. From Day 1 when he came here we realized he was different. He was more of a pro’s pro,” said Chinchar. “He already kind of had that adult mindset coming in from the beginning.”

Baldi’s business-first mentality paid off. On June 30^th, the kid from Italy, who first saw football in a movie, earned a scholarship to play for Division-II Valdosta State.

“I worked so hard for this. Especially during COVID, when everybody said ‘oh it’s over’,” said Baldi. “It was one of the best feelings.”

Believe it or not, Baldi isn’t satisfied with achieving a goal he’s had since he was a kid. Now he’s on to the next dream – the NFL.

“Everything can be done if you’re willing to put your head into something and really go all in,” said Baldi. “That’s why I love this country.”