FAIRLAND – Triton Central’s record-breaking receiver is ready for the jump to the next level.
Brad Schultz made his commitment to the University of Indianapolis’ football program official Thursday in a signing ceremony at the school.
Triton Central’s new record holder for single game yards (238), single season receptions (79) and receiving yards (1,492), and career receptions (125) and receiving yards (2,229) always favored UIndy but an administrative change within the football program stalled his recruitment.
“My recruiting coordinator quit at UIndy so that’s what kind of jumbled everything up,” said Schultz, the son of Brad and Leslie Schultz. “Up until the end, it was either UIndy or Olivet (Nazarene). I loved Olivet but I liked UIndy even more. They are in my backyard, just 15 minutes from here. And I think their training program will develop me.”
After a tough junior season with the Tigers due to a frustrating ankle injury, Schultz was still not convinced he could play college football – despite the strong desire to do just that.
“I never really thought I could until probably going into my senior year,” he said. “I was playing 7-on-7 and I was doing really, really well playing against ranked kids. My coaches over there told me to push for it.”
And with the help of a junior quarterback drawing Division I interest, Schultz stepped up and dominated most Friday nights. He had nine catches for 149 yards and three touchdowns in a season-opening win over Cascade, 42-14. Two weeks later against the eventual Class A state champions from Indianapolis Lutheran, Schultz produced eight catches for 188 yards.
As the season rolled on, the TC records of former Manchester All-American Dakota Nelson and receiver-turned-quarterback Aaron Steele started to fall.
Schultz also was a defensive presence for Triton Central as both a linebacker and defensive back depending on the opponent.
“It was definitely a fun season,” he said. “It was rough getting moved around all year and playing different positions but I think it worked out.”
Schultz already has a weight training regimen from UIndy and he expects the playbook to arrive soon.
“I think the biggest adjustment is going from playing kids my age to I’m moving in and will be the youngest kid there,” said Schultz. “Playing against guys totally bigger than me and more mature physically, I think that will be the biggest stepping stone.”
Schultz is ready for the more competitive environment that comes with joining a top 20 Division II program.
“I think the biggest part of football is winning,” he said. “I don’t want to play for a school that is OK with being average. I want to play in a program that is going to push me. I think that has been my biggest goal.”
While he knows he is starting over as a freshman, Schultz relishes the challenge of proving himself once again, just as he did at Triton Central when he moved in as a freshman.
“I can’t wait,” he said. “For me, high school football was fun but college football, almost everyone on the team is being paid to be there. They will want it more. High school football, you are out there to have fun with your friends. At college, it will be more competitive and fun.”
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