Edleman returns to football after year away

PELLA – Jacob Edleman quit football at one point in his Central College career. He wanted to golf instead.

For real.

'After my freshman year, I was kind of up in the air as to if I truly loved football,” he said.

Edleman always enjoyed teeing it up, and after a summer filled doing it with his father back home, he figured that would be the way he would help his school instead. So the former North Cedar prep said farewell to the gridiron - for a year.

Being away from it made him realize how much football really meant to him. Thirteen interceptions later, Edleman has had quite the career as a three-year starting free safety.

Central (4-2) plays Saturday afternoon at Coe (3-3).

'It just got to me,” he said. 'I missed it, and I wanted to be back out there. I don't regret my initial decision because it helped show me how much I wanted to play football. The coaches and the players were great. I really appreciate them welcoming me back.”

Edleman played football and golf for a couple of years and is making up for his one-year football absence by going out of his way to come back and play this season. He could have graduated but elected to remain one credit hour shy of his diploma this fall.

A business management major, he took a class on CPR, of all things, this semester that he already has completed. So, technically, he is a graduate.

The only thing he has on his mind right now is football. Joining the real world can wait.

'What I would say about him is that he was an outstanding high school football player, a guy who played all the sports at North Cedar,” said Central Coach Jeff McMartin. 'He is a very humble young man, leads by example. He just plays the game, is not a real loud, in-your-face type of guy. With that demeanor, you never really notice him on the field.”

That's unless he's doing something great, which he did last week. Edleman picked off three passes in a win over Loras and was named to D3Football.com's national weekly team.

To further McMartin's humble point, Edleman credited his defensive teammates for his outstanding job, saying he didn't play any differently than he usually does.

'It was just the luck of the draw,” he said. 'I was just at the right place at the right time.”

Edleman had a choice of positions when he went into Central but ultimately chose safety. Wide receiver was his other option.

'I played both of those in high school,” he said. 'But I really liked the idea of being able to make an impact every play. When you play defense, you have that opportunity.

'I don't regret the way things worked out. It has been great. I love being around football, being around my teammates.”

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