CS Spotlight: Jarrett Lecas, Benedictine University DB

While opening up this article, you’re probably thinking to yourself “Benedictine University? Where the heck is that?” Well, Ben U is a NCAA Division III school located in Lisle, IL. I became familiar with their football program a couple of years ago, when I stumbled upon one of their now former players, cornerback Rodney Nichols, who went onto play in the National Bowl (a college football all-star game for student-athletes that come from Division II, Division III, and NAIA schools).

Nichols is now apart of the Benedictine Eagles coaching staff serving as a Student Assistant Defensive Coach. The talent at Ben U did not stop at Nichols though. This season, the Eagles are currently 5-2, thanks to the solid play of sophomore quarterback Ryan Sample, the 1-2 punch they have in the backfield with Derrick Miles and Joshua Williams, and of course their defense (a few names that come to mind are defensive linemen Joe Dickert, Niko Paaloalo, and the team’s leader in tackles, linebacker Micayel McKechnie). Believe it or not, it does npot end there. The Benedictine Eagles have a 5-foot-11, 175 lb. junior safety by the name of Jarrett Lecas, who has the potential to play with the best of the best one day.

Coming out of Lincoln-Way East High School (Frankfort, IL), Lecas was named All-Area First Team as well as All-Conference First Team. As he went onto play the college game, Lecas only elevated his game. As a true freshman, he performed in a way that is very rare for such a young player with 78 tackles, 18 pass deflections, 5 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, & 1 touchdown. No matter the level of competition, you have to respect the way he played that season and how he has been able to keep up the high-level of play ever since.

The following year, as a sophomore, you would probably expect Lecas’ production to take a hit as he would be one of the main focal points on opposing teams scouting reports, but that was not the case. In fact, in 2014, he actually led the team in tackles with 111, while also recording 6 interceptions, 5 pass break-ups, and 5 blocked kicks on special teams.

The personal accolades that Lecas has piled up over the years certainly standout (NACC Freshman of the Year, All-NACC First Team (twice), First Team All-North Region, & 2014 NACC Defensive Player of the Year), but if you have spoken to him, you would know that he is a TEAM FIRST type of guy.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the guys in front of me, the juniors and the seniors over the past 2 seasons. It’s so much fun to play the game and all of the individual stats mean a lot to people but to me it’s just being out there with the guys… There’s really no better feeling.” Lecas told me in a recent interview.

Entering this season as a junior, Lecas had high expectations for not only himself but the team as well. After suffering a concussion in the Eagles second game of the season against Carroll University, he missed the team’s week 3 match-up against Adrian College. But that did not stop him from returning the following week against Kalamazoo College, where he racked up a team high eight tackles on top of an interception. Fast forward, a few weeks to the Benedictine Eagles’ seventh game of the season at Concordia University Chicago. Things were going great for Lecas as he tallied seven tackles and picked off the opposing quarterback not once, but twice.

Ben U ended up winning the game with a final score of 41-0 but they would leave with a costly injury. Lecas left the game on the first drive of the third quarter with a foot injury. It was later announced that he had broken his foot and that his season was over. At this point into the season, Jarrett Lecas ranks second on the team in tackles (45), pass deflections (6), and first in interceptions (4). A big hit to the Ben U Eagles defense, indeed.

“He (Lecas) is a dog on the field, loves to fly around and have fun. He really cares about his teammates and has done a wonderful job stepping up as a captain. I expect him to do real big things next year coming back from this injury. This will only motivate him to have an All-American year next year, you can bet dat!” said Rodney Nichols, one of Lecas’ former teammates, now a part of the coaching staff.

Thankfully, Lecas still has one more year of eligibility remaining. Regardless of the level of competition that you come from, the opportunity to play professional football is very hard to come by but it is not impossible. Not even for somebody coming from a Division III program. When you hear the expression “diamond in the rough” when it comes to prospects, Jarrett Lecas of Benedictine University is one of the first names that should come to mind.

If you missed my interview with Lecas, you can check it out below: