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POCATELLO, Idaho- Growing up
JonRhyeem Peoples did it all. He led his team to state championships in basketball. He competed in track and field, even running the 100m a couple of times. He played many different positions in football. Sports was Peoples identity. His father played football at ISU and as a kid, "my dad was making me run routes with him."
Peoples signed to play football at BYU out of Rigby High School but his opportunity didn't pan out there like he originally hoped. Peoples decided to return to Southeastern Idaho and play at Idaho State.
"Sports kept me out of trouble," Peoples said. "I went to BYU and it was all good. When I left BYU that is when I got in a little bit of trouble. I didn't have sports in my life and I lost who I was. I didn't really know who I was and I was hanging out with the wrong crowd. It kind of set me back in life."
Although Peoples had early setbacks upon arriving at ISU, he has since found himself and embraced what life has to offer him.
"Getting away from everyone and getting to know who I am and what my true values are changed my thinking," Peoples said. "I am just me. When you realize it is just you and you're not trying to be someone else for other people, you just have to be you. I dug down and found who I am and that is a hard working person who digging deep and learning from his mistakes."
It wasn't easy getting to this point. But once Peoples reached this point in his life he has taken advantage of the opportunities life offers him.
"It took a minute for sure but I have a clear path of who I am, what I want in life and who I want to be," Peoples said. "If that is helping in the community or getting to the NFL I am ready for what lies ahead."
Outside of the upcoming football season Peoples is set to graduate in December in outdoor education. He will be the second person in his family to earn a college degree. He has a passion for the outdoors and would like to work in fish and game to be a fly fishing guide.
"I love being on the water and fishing a lot," Peoples said. "I love to be in the outdoors. You find yourself in the outdoors. You have nothing to do and no one else is around you. It is just you, your thoughts and Mother Nature."
But before Peoples thinks about being a fly fishing guide he has unfinished business to take care of on the football field.
"I am excited to play with my teammates one last time and then see what the next level brings me," Peoples said. "This off season was huge for me because it made me focus on what I need to do. It is my first full year where something hasn't gone wrong. Being dedicated and knowing you have a responsibility has showed me I can do it."
As a starter on the defensive line Peoples would like double digit sacks and triple digit tackles in 2017.
"I'll give it my all and do the best I can," he said. "If I fall short I won't be disappointed because I know I gave it my all. As long as I push forward and be the best I can be, if I fall short I know I will be ok because I put it all on the line."
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