Spring Break
Drew Berube: Getting the job done
Jancy Nightingale
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: Sports
Senior and Hillsdale native Drew Berube got his start in tackle football in middle school, and continued playing at Hillsdale High School. Football beyond high school wasn't even on his mind.
Head coach Keith Otterbein, also a Hillsdale native, knew Berube since middle school, and Otterbein's son, junior Brad Otterbein, was Berube's teammate in high school. From that, coach Otterbein had the opportunity to see plenty of Berube's play and saw his early potential.
"As a high school kid, I got to see him mature, and develop, and grow," coach Otterbein said. "And he grew into a really good football player."
Hillsdale College became an option for Berube when he was offered a full ride for football from the school. Due to the immediate need for defensive players, Berube started as a freshman, which meant he was a 225-pound first-time player being pushed around by older, stronger 300-pound players.
"It was scary and exciting at the same time," Berube said.
"He's a kid that did come right in," coach Otterbein said. "Depending on our depth in any position, we don't always have the luxury to redshirt guys."
Though they did not have that luxury with Berube, his coaches do not regret the decision and remain impressed of his major contributions to the defense.
"He just makes plays," coach Otterbein said. "He's a disruptive force, creating problems for the offense."
Defensive line coach Aaron Shreffler noted his quality of performance in each of the past four seasons.
"He's gotten better every year," Shreffler said. "He's been solid, just doing his job."
Throughout his college football career, Berube caught people's attention and has the titles to prove it. In 2008 he gained more notoriety being named first-team All-GLIAC. He was also named honorable mention All-American and recognized as the GLIAC defensive player of the week in the course of the season. At the beginning of the 2009 season, he was named preseason first-team All-American by Sporting News and pre-season Division II Defensive Player of the Year by the consensus draft service. Now the pro scouts are showing interest, listing Berube as a prospect.
Shreffler credited Berube's combination of size and speed as well as his knack for making good plays as factors that make him a natural attraction for the NFL.
"He's done a great job putting himself in that position," Shreffler said. "We'll see how it shakes out in the end."
Berube has hopes of even playing in a bowl game for draft prospects in the postseason, providing a good opportunity to compete against the best. Despite his accolades, Berube still just plays for the love of the game.
"I just see it as fun," he said. "I just do my job and see what's given to me," he said.
Even with thoughts of pro ball whirling around, Berube remains focused on the task at hand. This includes potentially making the playoffs with the Chargers for the first time in Hillsdale's history as a Division II program.
"I just worry about the season right now," he said. "Whatever comes, comes."
Head coach Keith Otterbein, also a Hillsdale native, knew Berube since middle school, and Otterbein's son, junior Brad Otterbein, was Berube's teammate in high school. From that, coach Otterbein had the opportunity to see plenty of Berube's play and saw his early potential.
"As a high school kid, I got to see him mature, and develop, and grow," coach Otterbein said. "And he grew into a really good football player."
Hillsdale College became an option for Berube when he was offered a full ride for football from the school. Due to the immediate need for defensive players, Berube started as a freshman, which meant he was a 225-pound first-time player being pushed around by older, stronger 300-pound players.
"It was scary and exciting at the same time," Berube said.
"He's a kid that did come right in," coach Otterbein said. "Depending on our depth in any position, we don't always have the luxury to redshirt guys."
Though they did not have that luxury with Berube, his coaches do not regret the decision and remain impressed of his major contributions to the defense.
"He just makes plays," coach Otterbein said. "He's a disruptive force, creating problems for the offense."
Defensive line coach Aaron Shreffler noted his quality of performance in each of the past four seasons.
"He's gotten better every year," Shreffler said. "He's been solid, just doing his job."
Throughout his college football career, Berube caught people's attention and has the titles to prove it. In 2008 he gained more notoriety being named first-team All-GLIAC. He was also named honorable mention All-American and recognized as the GLIAC defensive player of the week in the course of the season. At the beginning of the 2009 season, he was named preseason first-team All-American by Sporting News and pre-season Division II Defensive Player of the Year by the consensus draft service. Now the pro scouts are showing interest, listing Berube as a prospect.
Shreffler credited Berube's combination of size and speed as well as his knack for making good plays as factors that make him a natural attraction for the NFL.
"He's done a great job putting himself in that position," Shreffler said. "We'll see how it shakes out in the end."
Berube has hopes of even playing in a bowl game for draft prospects in the postseason, providing a good opportunity to compete against the best. Despite his accolades, Berube still just plays for the love of the game.
"I just see it as fun," he said. "I just do my job and see what's given to me," he said.
Even with thoughts of pro ball whirling around, Berube remains focused on the task at hand. This includes potentially making the playoffs with the Chargers for the first time in Hillsdale's history as a Division II program.
"I just worry about the season right now," he said. "Whatever comes, comes."
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