CLEVELAND — Versatility has always been Jordan Foley's forte.

It's what made him a three-sport captain and an academic star at Shady Side Academy and it's what could get him on the field at Case WesternReserve University as a freshman.

Foley, of Meridian, will play football this fall and baseball in the spring for the Spartans, all while entering the pre-med program and minoring in Chinese at the renowned Cleveland-based university.

A tough load, for sure, but one Foley said he can handle.

"I think at Shady Side I did a great job at time management," said Foley. "It'll be nice not to have to drive 45 minutes (each way) everyday."

This fall, Foley is looking to make Case Western head coach Greg Debeljak take notice. He's listed on the school's Web site roster as a wide receiver.

"(Debeljak) seems to like me as a wide receiver, but the assistant coach who recruited me wants me as a defensive back."

Which would Foley choose? It doesn't matter to him, he said.

"I'd like to play anywhere," said the 5-foot-10, 175-pound Foley. "It's tough to get on the field, so I'll play anywhere. There are 51 freshmen in this recruiting class."

The Spartans are coming off a 5-5 season in Debeljak's first year at the helm. Foley's ability to play several positions certainly will be considered a bonus.

Last season with the Indians, Foley was a second-team all-Allegheny Conference pick as an outside linebacker and an honorable mention as a running back.

He led the Indians with 615 yards rushing, scored eight touchdowns, was second in tackles with 94 and was named team MVP.

As a junior, Foley led the Indians with 90 tackles as a defensive back and was an all-conference pick. He saw some time at quarterback as a sophomore.

All told, Foley rushed for more than 1,000 yards, scored 21 touchdowns either passing or rushing and led the team with 176 tackles over those three years.

In baseball, Foley was a two-year letterwinner at third base and, as a leadoff hitter this season, broke the school's 31-year-old record with 25 stolen bases. He batted. 355 and scored 54 runs in his prep career.

"I've been an infielder my whole life, but I think coach (Matt Englander) likes me as an outfielder," said Foley. "He likes my athleticism. Hey, if it gets me on the field right away, that's fine."

Though he won't play basketball at Case Western, he received the Indians' Coach's Award, leading the team with 56 3-pointers.

But Foley won't be looking to excel just on the field.

He graduated magna cum laude from Shady Side Academy and was selected for the Yale Award for excellence in scholarship, athletic prestige and promotion of school interest by the student body and faculty.

Last year, he was the sole recipient of the Peacock Prize for Excellence in the upper-level studies of Chinese after winning the Chinese I prize in 2004 for a strong interest and scholarship in the first-level study of Chinese.

When it came time to choose a college, Foley applied to 10, including some Ivy League schools.

"I thought about the education and to play football," said Foley. "They were not interested to the point where they would give me a spot."

Foley also applied to Division II schools such as Grove City, Carlton (Minn.) and some New England-area schools.

"But Case was the best fit for me," said Foley.

Another benefit to choosing Case Western is that it's close enough that Foley's parents, Jeff and Kathy, can see him play.

"I'm definitely looking forward to that so my parents can come and see every game if the want," he said.