TE headed to Clarion

TE headed to Clarion

BUTLER TWP — Football was not part of Brian Jendesky's life two years ago.
It's now become a big part of his future as the Butler High senior will play tight end at Clarion University.
"Brian didn't play football his sophomore year," former Butler coach Jeff McAnallen said. "I approached him about playing his junior year and I liked his response.
"He told me, 'I miss hitting people.' That's how I knew I had a player."
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Jendesky caught 14 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown during his junior campaign with the Golden Tornado. He paced Butler with 22 catches for 289 yards last fall despite missing two games with a concussion.
"He needs a year in our weight room and strength program to get bigger, but Brian fits what we're looking for at that position," said Clarion quarterbacks coach and passing coordinator Chris Weibel.
Jendesky said Clarion is what he's been looking for as well.
"I decided two weeks after the season that I still wanted to play football," Jendesky said. "I sent my tapes out and Clarion emailed me, asking me to come up for a visit.
"It's a nice place. It's an up-and-coming program with an offense that suits my skills."
Jendesky also considered Mount Union (Ohio), Slippery Rock and Buffalo before deciding on Clarion, which was 8-3 last year under coach Jay Foster, winning their final six games.
Weibel, a quarterback on Clarion's last Division II playoff team in 1996, recruited Jendesky to the school.
"He convinced me that I'll fit into their offense," Jendesky said. "Clarion plays as many as three tight ends at a time in various formations.
"Coach Weibel calls the passing plays and said I was the type of tight end they like."
Weibel said Jendesky "is big, athletic and can run. We play our best 11 players at a time and if three of those 11 are tight ends, three tight ends will play."
Jendesky and fellow senior Eli Christy work out in the weight room next to Art Bernardi Stadium three days a week after school. Christy is headed to SRU next year.
"I have no problem with redshirting and taking a year to get bigger," Jendesky said. "They know I can catch the ball, but I have to prove to them I can block."
McAnallen expects his former tight end to make his presence felt at Clarion.
"They have a lot of versatility in what they do offensively and Brian is a versatile player," he said. "They're bringing in other tight ends and he'll have to handle the competition, but I think he'll find a role there and fill it."
Jendesky plans to major in marketing.
"It's going to be a nice experience, getting an education and continue playing football with a program that's on the rise," Jendesky said.