Aidan McDermott makes a difference everywhere for Cedar Rapids Xavier football

CEDAR RAPIDS — Aidan McDermott hesitated before admitting that he slightly favors offense to defense.

The first-team all-state defensive back doubles as a dynamic wide receiver for Cedar Rapids Xavier.

“That’s tough,” McDermott said. “I might like offense just a little bit more. It’s close, though. Offense can be really exciting. Get a big play. It can be a lot of fun.”

McDermott has already made an impact for the Class 4A No. 4-ranked Saints (1-0), amassing almost 100 all-purpose yards with two touchdowns before Friday night’s Week 2 non-district football game against West Delaware (0-1) at Saints Field.

The 6-foot-2, 192-pound senior is a rare three-year starter for Xavier Coach Duane Schulte.

“It starts with his versatility,” Schulte said. “He can play both offense and defense. He’s very athletic and someone who has good speed.”

McDermott commanded attention in middle school when he participated in Future Saints football camp. They weren’t branding him the next big thing at the time but McDermott made an impression with his performance.

“I don’t want to say in fifth grade we thought he was going to be a superstar or a phenomenal guy but I do remember him,” Schulte said. “He made an impact and coaches noticed.”

You can’t coach speed and McDermott has had it since he stepped into the Saints program. Schulte recognized it as a weapon, noting assistant coach and boys’ track coach Russ Camacho deemed McDermott the fastest sophomore the program has produced. McDermott used his quickness to become a starting cornerback that season.

“My speed gives me a big advantage and I think it’s one of the most important parts of my game,” McDermott said. “I’m very blessed with that and have had to work to be faster, getting in the weight room in the offseason. It definitely gives me an edge on the field.”

The biggest strides came in the intricacies of the game. McDermott said he progressed in technique and football knowledge, specifically his defensive stance to begin plays. The Saints staff worked with him and the improvement allowed him to utilize his natural quickness more.

“I didn’t have a good understanding of the game, like I do now,” said McDermott, a South Dakota State commit who plans to attend the Jackrabbits’ game against Iowa on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. “Coaches helped me gain a better understanding of the game.

“I’m able to play faster because I know where the ball is going. I put myself in the right position before the play starts to make a play on the ball.”

Big contributions as a two-way starter began last season. McDermott helped the Saints to a Class 4A state runner-up finish, leading the team with 932 rushing and receiving yards and hauling in almost half of the team’s receptions. McDermott finished with 753 yards on 58 catches and three touchdowns.

Defensively, he balanced run support with pass coverage. He was a ball hawk, picking off seven passes and returning two for scores. McDermott also ranked fourth in tackles with 44 total, including 32 solo. He embraces that role as a playmaker because of a team-first mentality.

“I’m just doing whatever I can to help the team however they want me and doing whatever I can to help us win each week,” McDermott said. “Really, the whole team factors into it. I know whenever we need to make a play I can help and put us in position to win.”

McDermott, who compiled 74 yards on five catches and two TDs against Western Dubuque in Week 1, praised his teammates like quarterbacks for getting him the ball and defensive lines for pressure that helps his coverage. The Saints have a number of weapons that prevent opponents from keying on him.

“The fact that we have some other fairly fast guys in Grayson Hartman, Michael Cunningham, Carlos Baez-Perez, Maverick Burger, Coleton Beasler-Weber and some others, so we can spread the wealth,” Schulte said. “It keeps guys from totally focusing on Aidan because they can get the job done, too.”

McDermott is one of six senior captains. Schulte said that is the most in his 25 years as Xavier’s only head football coach. McDermott is joined by Cunningham, Josef Lemker, Jevin Rexroth, Thomas Sundell and Ben Volk. Being a team leader is an important role for McDermott, who does it by example.

“He just puts his nose to the grindstone, and this is cliché, but he just does his job,” Schulte said. “He provides so much versatility in every aspect. He steps in line to the Xavier football culture.

“The bottom line, like his teammates, they want to win and have some success.”

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