Shawnee's Mike Jarvis Getting an Early Start at Wisconsin
Mike Jarvis is getting a head start on his college career. A senior defensive lineman at Shawnee, Jarvis has already enrolled at Wisconsin where the defensive tackle has earned a football scholarship to the perennial Big 10 power.
“It’s a great way for me to be adjusted, getting here early,” Jarvis said in a phone interview from Wisconsin.
This will allow him to attend spring practice, which is huge for an incoming freshman, a way to get a jump on the playbook and what college football is all about.
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Jarvis had plenty of college options.
Among the other schools he was considering were Rutgers, Virginia and Nebraska.
“I thought Wisconsin was the best fit for me,” Jarvis said. “I felt the way I was treated by the coaches and then I got to know the players and it was a great atmosphere.”
Recruiting is always challenge but for Jarvis it was even more challenging due to COVID. For instance, due to the virus, he was unable to take any college visits. NCAA rules allow a recruit to receive up to five paid visits.
“I enjoyed recruiting but it probably would have been more enjoyable had it not been for COVID,” he said.
He becomes the latest South Jersey player to play at Wisconsin. The Badgers are known for their running back talent from South Jersey that includes former Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne of Overbrook, along with Super Bowl champion Corey Clement of Glassboro and one of this year’s best rookies, running back Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts via Salem High.
In the ‘90’s Lee DeRamus, who attended Edgewood (now Winslow Township) was a star wide receiver at Wisconsin, who played in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints.
Former Woodrow Wilson head coach Darrell Wilson was an assistant football coach at Wisconsin.
There have been others in what is a rich tradition from South Jersey to Wisconsin.
“I know about the South Jersey tradition at Wisconsin,” Jarvis said. “It is pretty cool.”
So was being part of the Shawnee football program.
Jarvis was a three-year starter. As a sophomore and junior he was part of South Jersey Group 4 championship teams.
This past year Shawnee went 1-6, but that was deceiving. The Renegades played one of the toughest schedules in South Jersey and four of the losses were by a touchdown or less.
Jarvis says that being part of the Shawnee program was special, highlighted of course, by being on the championship teams.
“It was a great feeling, being at one of the top public schools and winning two state championships,” he said.
Now Jarvis is excited about his next challenge, joining a program that has earned bowl berths 19 consecutive years.
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“I am really looking forward to get started,” he said. “I think that Wisconsin can bring out the best in me.”
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“I am really looking forward to get started,” he said. “I think that Wisconsin can bring out the best in me.”
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Author: Marc Narducci; Photo Courtesy of Mine Jarvis
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