he day that changed Ra'Shede Hageman's life happened more than a decade ago. Eric Hageman and Jill Coyle, a married couple living in Minneapolis, were going through the process of adopting children when they were struck by a video they watched of two young brothers up for adoption.

Ra'Shede and Xavier, who at the time were ages 7 and 6, respectively, had lived in 12 foster homes in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and had also gone through a failed adoptive placement. The video was provided by their social worker, who asked the boys what kind of family they'd like to end up with. Ra'Shede, who longed to play sports but had never been given the chance, said he hoped to go to a family that would let him play football.

Eric and Jill officially adopted Ra'Shede and Xavier in 1998.

"Just seeing them, it tugged on our heart strings," says Eric.

Upon joining Eric and Jill's family, Ra'Shede immediately began participating in football and basketball. Turns out, all he needed was a chance -- he's proven to be a cut above athletically ever since.

Now a senior at Washburn (Minneapolis, Minn.), Ra'Shede Hageman is rated the nation's No. 12 tight end in the ESPNU 150, and the 6-foot-6, 260-pound Under Armour All-American has committed to play football collegiately at Minnesota.

(Xavier, meanwhile, is pursuing his talent for dance as a junior at the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists.)

Ra'Shede garnered All-State honors this past fall after hauling in 27 passes for 535 yards and 12 touchdowns. Despite possessing the size of a lineman, the kid with the nickname Big Ten is as fluid as a receiver. For an opposing linebacker or safety, the thought of trying to check this physical marvel on a post pattern is about as welcome as a pop quiz in calculus.

While sports have never been difficult for Ra'Shede, the same can't be said for his childhood. His single mother had problems taking care of him and Xavier, so they were placed in foster care. From there, they were shuttled in and out of homes before they ever had a chance to get settled. While most 7-year-olds were engrossed in video games or their favorite cartoons, Ra'Shede just cared about having a permanent roof over his head.

"I was sent to different homes and got used to them and then I had to leave," says Ra'Shede, who still occasionally talks to his birth mother. "It was heartbreaking. Me and my brother both understood where we came from. Going through all the obstacles made us stronger and we grew closer."

Eric and Jill provided Ra'Shede and Xavier the two things they needed most -- love and stability. And along the way, Ra'Shede has also received guidance from an incredible support group that includes Washburn assistant football coach Giovan Jenkins, head football coach Peter Haugen and head basketball coach Reggie Perkins, who've helped him during difficult times. Jenkins was there to point Ra'Shede in the right direction during his freshman and sophomore years when he was skipping classes and wasn't focusing on his academics.

"He's done a great job overcoming the adversity that was set before him," Jenkins says. "For him to come out of that with an opportunity to not only go to college but possibly the pros is amazing. He's beaten all the odds stacked against him, he's played with all the cards he's been dealt and he's still not done."

Whether it was sports or life in general, all Ra'Shede needed was a chance.

Jon Mahoney covers high school sports for ESPN RISE Magazine.