The journey to success

Ramon Guzman knew that all it would take is hard work and patience.

To achieve what he and his teammates set out to do four years ago and help build a successful football team, they would need effort and a little luck. It's the same hard work that enabled him to avoid the obstacles that stood in his way, growing up in a rough Bronx neighborhood.

"Being from back home it's the gangs and all the stuff you have to deal with," Guzman said. "I'm not the only one. In my case, I'm a football player. I know a lot of guys that didn't make it. They couldn't keep their heads straight. I did a lot of different sports to keep me out of trouble. I didn't have role models. The role models I did have were the obstacles."

Guzman has been playing football since he was a boy. He wrestled and ran track in high school, in addition to being a competitive cheerleader in junior high and high school. It's clear, however, that he found his true calling.

"I like the physicality of it," Guzman said. "I started playing organized football in the ninth grade. Before that it was street football, wherever I could play."

Guzman was able to overcome the distractions around him and continue to excel playing football. He was a four-year letterman on offense and defense and was an All-New York City football selection. Guzman played under head coach Ed Gardella, who has since retired.

"He helped me keep my head straight and helped get me to college," Guzman said.

Since arriving at Buffalo, Guzman has had to make the transition from high school to college and from New York City to Buffalo.

"The nightlife and everything out there is so fast," Guzman said. "Coming out here, you appreciate nature and the scenery more. It's a change of pace."

On the field, Guzman has played numerous positions on both sides of the ball. According to good friend and junior defensive lineman Trevor Scott, it's all in a days work for Guzman.

"He's a team player," Scott said. "He's come in here and played fullback, running back, safety and linebacker. He's one of the hardest working people I know."

Buffalo linebacker coach Brian Mohnsen gets to work closely with Guzman and has seen his growth first hand.

"The biggest thing is leading by example," Mohnsen said. "It's what he's done the whole summer. He makes sure that guys are there for workouts, whether its 6 a.m. or 6 p.m."

Guzman's talents spread farther than the field. Guzman is a chess player and most notably a musician, proficient in the trumpet, saxophone, tenor saxophone, clarinet and piano. He and his teammates play basketball and video games to relax whenever they have the time. Though, with new expectations, the times for relaxation come sparingly.

Being a senior, Guzman knows there is pressure on him. He must plan for what he will be doing next year, while at the same time focusing on how the team is going to perform this season.

"I want to prove that we are a good team," Guzman said. "I've known it since I've gotten here. There's a lot of talent here. The way it's being utilized now is to the best of their abilities. We're getting put in situations where our talent can show. I just want to prove to everyone that we are a good team."

As for Guzman's plans after college, if he doesn't end up in the National Football League, he would still like to be involved in the sport he loves.

"Hopefully, I'll be playing at the next level," Guzman said. "If not, I think about going into coaching kids in the inner city where I come from. There are lots of great athletes that don't get the opportunity because of certain distractions."