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University of Minnesota Athletics
A Call to Duty - Senior Jarod Posthumus
11/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Coming out of Becker High School, the St. Cloud native had thrown for nearly 6,000 yards in his career and earned first team all-state honors in his senior year. After coming to the University of Minnesota in 2001 and redshirting his first year, Posthumus was told by coaches that they had other ideas to what role he could best serve for the Gophers in the future. After being told of the coaches’ desires to place him in a new and very different position, Posthumus had mixed feelings about the situation.
“You’d be surprised how much I get asked that” he said with a chuckle. “I just wanted to do what was best for the team and also to do what was best for me. I really just wanted to play as fast as I could.” His decision to switch did not come without some disappointment. “It did discourage me little bit” he acknowledged. “I always wanted to play football no matter what and I wanted to make the best of my situation.”
Although position changes in football are common, the player who learns their new position without experiencing any adversity in the process is scarce. Posthumus was no different in his quest to see the field for the Gophers squad. With his strong work ethic and his team attitude, Posthumus persevered through the rough times and has developed into a solid tight end who has contributed to the Gophers overwhelming success with the offense’s rushing attack. His steady blocking on the offensive line was a big reason for Marion Barber III and Laurence Maroney becoming the first players in NCAA history to each rush for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons (2003 & 2004).
The main challenge of Posthumus’ change from behind the offensive line to actually being on it was the physical aspects that he was forced to adapt to fit the mold of a tight end. “The physical aspects of being a tight end versus quarterback took a little getting used to,” he explained. “It didn’t take as long as I thought it would, the change went smoother than I anticipated.”
His change in physique also triggered a new admiration for his offensive linemen who had protected him in his days as a quarterback. “I definitely found a new appreciation for the O-linemen. I guess when you’ve been playing quarterback your whole life you just don’t pay much attention to what actually goes on up front, but when you’re playing tight end, you realize that their jobs are much more complicated than you would ever think.”
Posthumus also had the benefit of having great teachers who aided him in his struggles to become a formidable blocking and receiving threat. “I would have to say that I had a combination of different people who helped to teach me. Coach (Mitch) Browning has helped me a lot. Also, a couple of tight ends that used to play with me, (current Indianapolis Colt) Ben Utecht and Scooter Baugus, always kept me focused on always improving on as a football player.”
Following in his former teammates’ footsteps, Posthumus has used his experiences with the Gopher football team to pass along leadership to younger players and helping them to develop. His technique in leading may not be the same as some, but feels that it draws the same effectiveness. “I don’t lead so much vocally,” he said. “I have always thought that leading by example is a better approach for me.”
The example that Jarod Posthumus has set for this Gopher squad is one of hard work and dedication, no matter what the situation is. “I really have just focused on improving every game this season and just trying to be better at what I do,” he said speaking about the upcoming season and the goals he has set for himself. Posthumus’ other goal that he has in mind for this season can be echoed by the entire Gophers football team.
“I would really like to win a Big Ten championship before I leave here. It would be a great accomplishment.”
Through all of his experiences and memories, Posthumus will miss one thing the most about Gopher football. “I’m especially going to miss Saturdays playing in front of our home crowd, they are always there for us.”
The same can be said of Jarod, who answered his team’s call of duty when they needed him the most.
Story written by David Reidinger, athletic communications student assistant It is not uncommon in the game of football to see a player switch positions to better help the team. Moving from guard to tackle, or wide receiver to defensive back? This happens frequently. But, seeing a quarterback move to tight end? Now that’s rare. As rare as this switch is, Jarod Posthumus has proven that it can be accomplished.
Coming out of Becker High School, the St. Cloud native had thrown for nearly 6,000 yards in his career and earned first team all-state honors in his senior year. After coming to the University of Minnesota in 2001 and redshirting his first year, Posthumus was told by coaches that they had other ideas to what role he could best serve for the Gophers in the future. After being told of the coaches’ desires to place him in a new and very different position, Posthumus had mixed feelings about the situation.
“You’d be surprised how much I get asked that” he said with a chuckle. “I just wanted to do what was best for the team and also to do what was best for me. I really just wanted to play as fast as I could.” His decision to switch did not come without some disappointment. “It did discourage me little bit” he acknowledged. “I always wanted to play football no matter what and I wanted to make the best of my situation.”
Although position changes in football are common, the player who learns their new position without experiencing any adversity in the process is scarce. Posthumus was no different in his quest to see the field for the Gophers squad. With his strong work ethic and his team attitude, Posthumus persevered through the rough times and has developed into a solid tight end who has contributed to the Gophers overwhelming success with the offense’s rushing attack. His steady blocking on the offensive line was a big reason for Marion Barber III and Laurence Maroney becoming the first players in NCAA history to each rush for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons (2003 & 2004).
The main challenge of Posthumus’ change from behind the offensive line to actually being on it was the physical aspects that he was forced to adapt to fit the mold of a tight end. “The physical aspects of being a tight end versus quarterback took a little getting used to,” he explained. “It didn’t take as long as I thought it would, the change went smoother than I anticipated.”
His change in physique also triggered a new admiration for his offensive linemen who had protected him in his days as a quarterback. “I definitely found a new appreciation for the O-linemen. I guess when you’ve been playing quarterback your whole life you just don’t pay much attention to what actually goes on up front, but when you’re playing tight end, you realize that their jobs are much more complicated than you would ever think.”
Posthumus also had the benefit of having great teachers who aided him in his struggles to become a formidable blocking and receiving threat. “I would have to say that I had a combination of different people who helped to teach me. Coach (Mitch) Browning has helped me a lot. Also, a couple of tight ends that used to play with me, (current Indianapolis Colt) Ben Utecht and Scooter Baugus, always kept me focused on always improving on as a football player.”
Following in his former teammates’ footsteps, Posthumus has used his experiences with the Gopher football team to pass along leadership to younger players and helping them to develop. His technique in leading may not be the same as some, but feels that it draws the same effectiveness. “I don’t lead so much vocally,” he said. “I have always thought that leading by example is a better approach for me.”
The example that Jarod Posthumus has set for this Gopher squad is one of hard work and dedication, no matter what the situation is. “I really have just focused on improving every game this season and just trying to be better at what I do,” he said speaking about the upcoming season and the goals he has set for himself. Posthumus’ other goal that he has in mind for this season can be echoed by the entire Gophers football team.
“I would really like to win a Big Ten championship before I leave here. It would be a great accomplishment.”
Through all of his experiences and memories, Posthumus will miss one thing the most about Gopher football. “I’m especially going to miss Saturdays playing in front of our home crowd, they are always there for us.”
The same can be said of Jarod, who answered his team’s call of duty when they needed him the most.
Story written by David Reidinger, athletic communications student assistant
