Daniel Saavedra Felix Joyner interview on U.S. college football

The Daniel Saavedra Felix Joyner interview for MILLIONS centered on Saavedra’s goal of playing college football in the United States, his experience at an international camp in Barcelona and his move to a higher national level in Spain. The running back and fullback also discussed why he prefers tackle football, even as he sees an opportunity for flag football to bring more people into the sport.

How did Daniel Saavedra get started in American football?

Daniel Saavedra began playing American football in his last year of high school and spent four years with the Barbara rookies. Now in his fifth season, he is playing for a new team at a higher national level in Spain. He considers the discipline and work ethic he gained through football among his biggest accomplishments.

Sports were not originally part of his plans. Once he joined a small club near Barcelona, however, football became a place where he could test himself and build habits that carried beyond games and practices.

Saavedra told Felix Joyner that he particularly enjoys the middle of a game, when the crowd grows louder and the pressure on the field rises. Knowing his teammates and the plays helps him feel comfortable in that setting.

Asked what he was proudest of achieving, he chose work ethic rather than a particular game. He credited football with teaching him how to prepare for a goal while managing the distractions and obligations that come with growing up.

What did Daniel Saavedra say about playing college football in the United States?

Daniel Saavedra wants to play college football in the United States at the highest level he can reach. At 21, he is weighing that ambition against the practical decisions that come with adulthood, including work and family. He said he intends to pursue the goal while recognizing that he may need other options.

A college goal from Spain

Saavedra described U.S. college football as his central objective. He also spoke about how young players in Spain can imagine different destinations in the sport, from North American leagues to opportunities elsewhere in Europe. For him, the immediate priority is developing as both a football player and an athlete.

That goal brings pressure. He discussed the need to think about a job and other responsibilities while trying to progress in football, and acknowledged that the decisions can be stressful. Even if a particular opportunity does not work out, he believes the discipline gained while pursuing it remains useful.

A possible United States college tour

Saavedra has spoken with coach Alexander about a college tour in the United States, but said the trip had not been confirmed. Rather than plan around it, he is concentrating on his own development and on being prepared to play either fullback or running back.

What did Daniel Saavedra say about flag football?

Daniel Saavedra prefers tackle football, which he has played throughout his career, but sees flag football as a way to introduce more people to the sport. He tried flag in a couple of games when he was about 18 and enjoyed it. He also sees its place in the 2028 Olympics as an opportunity for countries developing the game.

His point was not that flag should replace tackle. Saavedra said its different form gives newcomers a way to discover football without beginning with contact. He linked that accessibility to building a community around a sport whose leagues and fan bases vary considerably between countries.

He mentioned flag leagues in Spain and other countries, including Germany and the United Kingdom. Later, when Joyner asked whether he had attended an Olympic event, Saavedra said he had not. Despite his interest in flag’s growth, he returned to his preference for the contact and physical play of tackle football.

How did Daniel Saavedra approach the Barcelona football camp?

Daniel Saavedra attended an international football camp in Barcelona to show his skills alongside players from several countries. He described it as a competitive experience with 15 participants and said the first day made an impression: some athletes were much bigger than he was. His response was to focus on his own drills rather than their size.

Competing with players from other countries

Saavedra said players came from places including Israel, Austria and Germany. The camp involved football activities and measured drills, giving participants a chance to demonstrate both physical ability and their understanding of the game. Because it was in Barcelona, he felt familiar with the setting and its conditions.

One player from Israel particularly stood out to him at about 6-foot-4 and 234 pounds. Saavedra recalled initially being struck by that size, then turning his attention to doing his own work as well as he could.

Coach Alexander’s role

Coach Alexander gave Saavedra the opportunity to join the camp. Saavedra said they also worked together on Tarasa rates, the team he had joined at Spain’s national level. He valued meeting other players who wanted to show what they could do, whether or not they shared his college goal.

How does Daniel Saavedra prepare to play running back and fullback?

Daniel Saavedra works on catching, ball protection and changes of direction while preparing to play running back or fullback. He described himself as a physical runner who no longer fears being tackled, a change from his first years at running back. He said coach Ray and other players are helping him continue to improve.

During the offseason, Saavedra practiced catching balls thrown from different directions. Finding someone to train with was not always easy because friends had jobs or university commitments, so he often worked alone on the field. He also focused on securing the ball and making cuts after the catch.

Now he has three practices a week and works with running back coach Ray. He said he also learns from another running back who had played for the Barcelona Dragons. The position work matters to him because he wants to be ready for whichever role his team needs.

Physical contact has become another part of that preparation. Saavedra said he was afraid of getting tackled when he first played running back, but summer work helped change his approach. Looking ahead, he mentioned a possible Catalan Cup in December and said he wanted to be ready for experienced opponents.

What did Daniel Saavedra say about American football in Spain?

Daniel Saavedra described American football in Spain as a smaller community than soccer or basketball, sustained in part by players and families willing to travel for games. He pointed to national and regional competitions, including games in Catalonia and Madrid, and encouraged people outside Spain to watch. He also sees travel as part of what football has given him.

Travel for games in Spain

Saavedra has seen parents take their children on trips of around two hours to play. Preparing equipment and traveling regularly can be demanding, he said, but those efforts help make football possible for people who want to try it. He spoke about both tackle and flag competitions when describing the opportunities available in Spain.

He also pointed to games involving Spain and other European countries, including Georgia, Italy and Germany, while arguing that tackle football deserves attention alongside flag. For Saavedra, seeing different levels of play is part of appreciating how the sport is developing.

Barcelona, Valencia and football travel

When Joyner asked what a visitor should do in Spain, Saavedra recommended restaurants near the beach in Barcelona and also suggested trying food in Valencia. He liked the idea of combining a football trip with visits to places such as Barcelona and Madrid. Football has already helped him explore beyond Spain, including Portugal and France.

Saavedra closed with encouragement for players in different countries who invest their own time and money in traveling, competing and improving. Reflecting on how far football had taken him from the small city where he grew up, Saavedra put his message simply:

everything is possible

Who is Daniel Saavedra?

Daniel Saavedra is a 21-year-old semi-professional American football player in Spain. He played his first four years of the sport with the Barbara rookies and entered his fifth season with a new team at a higher level. His goal is to play college football in the United States.