Productive walks across the street
SLIPPERY ROCK — Going off to college can involve extensive travel plans for many.
For Rod Williams and Kaleb Kamerer, it's simply going across the street.
Williams is a red-shirt freshman defensive end at Slippery Rock University while Kamerer is a true freshman linebacker. Both are Slippery Rock High School graduates and played on District 10 playoff teams there.
“My house is right down the street,” Williams said. “I can commute from home to go to school and that's nice.”
Williams and Kamerer are hoping to follow in the footsteps of Zach Sarver, Colten Raabe and Josh Kniess, fellow SRHS grads who made their mark at The Rock.
Raabe was a three-year starter on the offensive line and Kniess graduated from SRU with the program's all-time total offense record.
“Those guys all earned what they got,” Kamerer said. “We can't compare ourselves to them, though. Everyone's got to be his own man.”
But SRU coach Shawn Lutz knows there is local high school talent to be had.
“We want to keep those good local players home,” Lutz said. “People think because they're also close, they're not very good. There's solid potential in both of these guys.
“Rod could get on the field for us and help this year. Kaleb is an athlete who is all heart and soul on the field. He reminds me a lot of Tim Vernick.”
Like Kamerer, Vernick is a somewhat under-sized linebacker who led The Rock in tackles as a sophomore.
“I do kinda pattern myself after him,” Kamerer said. “He's worked for everything he's gotten. I want to go down that same road, be a team captain someday.”
Kamerer and Williams were both recruited by a number of Division III schools, Thiel, Grove City, Waynesburg and Westminster among them. Kamerer also looked at Lock Haven while Williams looked at California (Pa.).
Williams is majoring in homeland security, Kamerer in safety management.
“They had my major here, which made my decision really easy,” Kamerer said. “My No. 1 goal is to graduate, get that piece of paper and set myself up to do good things in life. Everything else is secondary.
“Coming here saves money for my family, too.”
Williams knew he made the right choice after going through last season with the team.
“Last year was a different experience for me,” he said. “Being on the scout team, I lined up in practice every day against Colten Raabe.
“He encouraged me all the time, kept telling me to be better than him, to never stop working. He really took an interest in me and I'll never forget that.”
Lutz emphasized that 75 percent of The Rock's roster is recruited high school players.
“We want to take kids and watch them grow within our system,” Lutz said. “These two guys are part of that.”
While Kamerer figures to red-shirt this year, Williams hopes to take the next step.
“Get on the field and contribute,” Williams said. “That's my goal. After watching last year, I want to be a part of things this year.”
