Irish's Andrews a little guy making big plays

Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog
photo Notre Dame's Jared Andrews returns the ball in a game against McMinn Central at Finley Stadium.

When he steps off the bus, observers see anything but a master of mayhem.

A mascot, they assume; a manager, they muse; perhaps one of the coaches' kids along for a night's adventure.

Jared "Polo" Andrews, though, is a prime example of high school football's mischief-makers, a player who can turn the fortunes of a football team in the blink of an eye.

All 5 feet, 4 inches and 135 pounds of him.

"For a little guy, you really have to grab him to get him on the ground," Notre Dame coach Charles Fant said.

Andrews, in other words, is "slickery," as quick and deadly to a punting team as a piranha and as slippery as an eel.

"Lightning quick and nimble," Fant described.

The diminutive senior, tagged "Polo" because of his proclivity for head-to-toe Ralph Lauren products, has returned nine punts the distance, although five were called back, quite often due to a well-meaning teammate's brushing block in the back after "Polo" is long gone.

"Four punt returns for a touchdown is an unusually high number -- an incredible number -- but to have caught a punt and crossed the goal line nine times is unbelievable," Fant said.

Fielding punts is an art that few ever really master. Fant said that if there was a degree for such things Andrews would have his doctorate. After all, the youngster is averaging 35 yards per return, and no telling what that average would be if five TD returns hadn't been wiped out by penalty.

"Knowing when to field the ball on a punt is so hard, and there are so many decisions to make in a split-second," the coach said. "You've got your eyes on the ball; are you going to get drilled? Are you going to catch it? And then what move are you going to make after you catch it? You have to make all of those decisions in the blink of an eye, and I can't think of a time when he's failed to get to his line of blockers. Jared's one of those kids that was absolutely meant to be a punt returner."

Yet as much as he loves his fox-among-the-hounds returns, the role as a cornerback is the one Andrews most relishes.

"I like being out there with my 'brothers,' but I love hitting people," he said, knowing he has 22 solo hits and a handful of assists to go with numerous pass break-ups, a pair of interception returns for scores and even a couple of sacks. Oh, yeah, he also gets his share of offensive plays as a receiver.

When asked what he did best, Andrews responded, "Coverage and tackling."

Even with a lack of physical stature and opponents seeing Louisville-bound Kareem Orr at the other cornerback and deciding to pick on the little guy?

"Sometimes I get more opportunities, but I feel I can shut down anybody," he said with the self-assurances of a confident athlete. "It's all in the preparation."

It's been that way since Andrews stepped in as a starting corner four years ago.

"Whether it's been 7-on-7s or Friday nights, with Kareem on the other side that's who they pick on," Fant said. "He's 5-4. You might get a pass in front of him and then he'll make the tackle, but he's given up very few passes deep for touchdowns."

Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him at Twitter.com/wardgossett.

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