It all started on a whim.

A budding wide receiver prospect, Ricardo Hallman had just finished his drills with the first-team offense during a preseason practice last summer for Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) University School and was to make way for the second-team players to get some work in. Wanting to make sure they were fully prepared, Hallman volunteered to match up against them so he could fulfill his competitive edge and give them the best look possible.

What he did that day in practice set the course for his football career.