Dedrick: Exceeding Expectations

AMES, Iowa - Heading into his freshman year of high school, Iowa State offensive tackle Doug Dedrick had few goals for his first full season of tackle football. There was no dream of college football, let alone a shot at the NFL. Few people believed he would ever make it to the collegiate level, but Dedrick stands today as a perfect example of how hard work can overcome adversity.

"I was out there to be with all of my friends," Dedrick said. "I wanted to go out and have fun and see where it would take me."

Dedrick found himself on the defensive line during his freshman year at Corona Del Sol High School in Tempe, Ariz. Without playing a down of football in his life, Dedrick discovered as a prep freshman that the contact sport was not immediately gratifying.

"At first it started off kind of shaky, I mean I had no clue," Dedrick said. "I didn't want any part of it at all. It took me until my sophomore or junior year until I really started taking it seriously."

During that transition period around his sophomore year, Dedrick was playing both ways as a defensive end and as an offensive tackle. Nevertheless, finding a spot on the offensive line proved to be a huge step in the right direction for Dedrick's career. Many of his coaches knew the potential was there for Dedrick to be a solid offensive lineman. But, it would take a lot of work.

"Throughout his first couple of years Doug learned the game of football, and developed into a kid who as sophomore started seeing a lot of time on both sides of the ball for us," said Corona Del Sol assistant coach Tim Kelly. "You really saw the upswing once he grew into his body. He physically and mentally matured and by the time he was a senior he was an impact player on both sides of the football for us."

The summer before his junior year Dedrick hooked up with three-time pro-bowler Simeon Rice, who was a friend of his older brother at the time, and began working out with the NFL star on a regular basis. Rice saw the potential in Dedrick and knew right away that he had the ability to play college ball, and possibly beyond.

"I tried to mirror everything that Simeon did when it came to football," Dedrick said. "He is hands down the hardest worker of possibly anybody in the NFL. He's there two hours before everybody and leaves two hours after everybody."

The duo created a work-out schedule that would rival most Olympic athletes. Running for an hour and a half in the Arizona sun started the day for the two athletes, followed by an hour of boxing, focusing on hand-eye coordination. An hour and a half of lifting followed the sparring, capped off by two hours on the basketball hardwood. Working up to 14 days straight in the summer, Doug began seeing improvement.

"Once I started taking it seriously I saw that I just had to work," Dedrick said. "It didn't really fall into place early because I was kind of late bloomer. I knew I was a little behind, so I went to junior college and kept that work mentality."

While many of the colleges close to Tempe passed on the opportunity to take a chance on Dedrick, he landed close to home at Scottsdale Community College in Scottsdale, Ariz.

"It didn't really pan out the way he hoped," Kelly said. "I had hoped that somebody would've taken a chance on him. I think he is showing now that a lot of people made mistakes, especially a lot of people around his hometown."

Dedrick's goals changed dramatically after reaching the junior college ranks. There he was put in a situation where he could continue to develop on the road to a university career.

"I wanted to play right away," Dedrick said. "I wanted to work as hard as I needed to, to get that Division I scholarship in a BCS Conference."

Now the starting left tackle for Iowa State, the one time back-up is focusing on his senior season, and the opportunity to be selected in the National Football League Draft in April. Although much of his progress can be attributed to his work ethic, Dedrick can find solace through his huge support system as well as his positive mental approach to the game.

"The one thing that my dad has instilled in me more than anything is to never be satisfied with where you are," Dedrick said. "Be happy with who you are, be proud of who you are, but never be satisfied. You can always improve on something."

Working to improve every aspect of his game since his freshman year of high school, Doug can now focus on the bigger picture. Hours of workouts can sometimes overshadow the game as a whole, but now a Cyclone senior, Dedrick understands the opportunity he has been given.

"Coach Chizik has really opened my eyes. Playing at this level is a privilege," Dedrick said. "Love the game, understand the game and take it for what it is. It's a privilege to be here."

Players Mentioned

Doug Dedrick

Doug Dedrick

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