Instincts put Wedge in elite company

Senior linebacker has led the RedHawks in tackles past 2 seasons.

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11:33 PM Wednesday, October 19, 2011

By Pete Conrad

Staff Writer

OXFORD — In addition to its legacy as the Cradle of Coaches, Miami University also has a tradition of producing outstanding linebackers and running backs.

A short sampling of the linebackers includes All-Americans Bob Babich, Curt McMillan, JoJuan Armour, Dustin Cohen and Terrell Jones. The list of runners is equally impressive with John Pont, Bob Hitchens, George Swarn, Deland McCullough and Travis Prentice.

Senior Jerrell Wedge already has assured himself of joining the first group, though there are times when he has wondered about the latter, about taking handoffs for Miami.

“I was thinking about that two weeks ago while I was watching a highlight video (from high school),” Wedge said. “I think I’m a better defensive player because of my instincts. I think about playing running back. But my heart is on defense.”

Has Wedge ever taken a handoff at Miami, even in practice?

“Nope, never,” he said.

Still, Wedge thinks about running to daylight because he was more than just a little good at it before he arrived at Miami.

As a two-way senior at Frederick Douglass High School in Upper Marlboro, Md., he rushed for 1,000 yards and scored 15 touchdowns.

Before high school, Wedge was strictly a running back. As a 175-pound sophomore, he became a starter at linebacker.

“I liked the contact,” Wedge said. “It felt like the right fit. The game comes easily to me. I don’t have to think much. My coaches always told me I had great instincts.”

Those instincts have served him well at Miami. After playing a limited role as a redshirt freshman, he blossomed as a sophomore, leading the Mid-American Conference with 18 tackles for loss.

He also led the RedHawks in total tackles that year (114) and last year (101), and is leading this year (39) despite missing the Bowling Green game with a hamstring injury.

Wedge said he has learned much from some of the great Miami linebackers.

“When I first came here, the linebackers were Clayton Mullins, Joey Hudson and Caleb Bostic,” Wedge said. “They taught me a lot, how to watch films, how to get to the ball faster, knowing what an offense will do so you can react a little faster.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pete.conrad@coxinc.com.

Saturday’s game

Who: Miami (2-4, 1-1 MAC) at Toledo (4-3, 3-0)

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Glass Bowl (26,248), Toledo

Radio: WMOH-AM (1450), WDBZ-AM (1230)

TV: None

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