A minor injury playing football as a second grader nearly derailed Lucas Kleeman’s football career.

Five years later, Kleeman convinced his mother he wanted to return to football and the rest is history. For the second consecutive year, Kleeman led the Tigers in tackles and was a vocal leader within the program.

Just as he was an eager seventh grader ready for the challenge of football, the Triton Central senior is excited for his next challenge – playing football at Anderson University.

On Feb. 9, Kleeman signed his letter of intent to continue his football career at a school he originally did not feel was the place for him.

“I went there on a visit (last year) and I was not too excited about how the team was being run,” said Kleeman. “They have a whole new coaching staff and new players. I went on another visit and liked what they said and what they believed in. I am excited where the football program is going.”

In mid-December, Anderson hired Jonathan Coddington as its new football coach and his ties to another football program Kleeman visited swayed his decision.

Coddington, a 2014 Anderson graduate, spent the last eight years as an assistant coach at Concordia University Ann Arbor.

“I met coach Coddington at Concordia and I knew he would bring the same values to Anderson,” said Kleeman.

Kleeman led Triton Central with 60 total tackles and another 10-win season despite playing with an injured shoulder that required surgery.

“It bothered me in the summer and it got worse by sectionals,” explained Kleeman, who had surgery this week. “It got really bad toward the end of the season but I knew nothing was going to keep me off the field.”

The goal is to make the rehabilitation program be less stressful than the recruiting process.

“The process itself was kind of stressful,” admitted Kleeman. “Trips every Saturday visiting different schools and weighing our options. And I went to a lot of camps.”

Listed as five-foot, eight inches tall, Kleeman admitted he had to battle the notion that he is undersized as a linebacker.

“It helped me going to different camps,” he said. “They could see how I play.”

Kleeman plans to major in Business Administration Leadership and has a goal of being a football coach either at the high school or college level.

Now, after spending several afternoons supporting fellow TC students on their signing day it was surreal to sit at the table and be the center of attention.

“It is relieving to know where I am going,” he said. “I am excited about it. It was great to have family and friends there (at the signing). That was cool to know since I’ve seen all the other kids sign.”

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