Colony High senior snags chance to play at Division I level

PALMER — Moments before Jarek Schultz signed his National Letter of Intent Wednesday afternoon, his parents presented him with a surprise.

A blue and yellow ax, with a Northern Arizona University logo.

The perfect gift for a future Lumberjack.

Schultz, a Colony High School senior, officially committed to Northern Arizona on the first day of the NCAA’s early signing period for football, during a ceremony at Colony High. With his commitment, Schultz earns a full scholarship package and the chance to play Division I football for the Flagstaff, Arizona, school.

“I’m through the roof,” Schultz said of his excitement, after posing for photos with friends and family. “I didn’t expect it. But I’m glad it happened. Glad it’s here.”

His path to the Division I ranks comes after only three years of organized football. Schultz grew up on the ice, playing hockey through his freshman year of high school. He also played basketball. But his focused shifted as sophomore.

“I saw a better path to college through football,” Schultz said.

Colony assistant football coach Ray Kizer were among those who convinced Schultz to hit the football field.

I didn’t take long for Schultz to establish himself as a starter on both sides of the ball, and a standout. Schultz, standing at 6-foot-7 and nicknamed “Tree”, will play tight end at the next level.

“It’s where I wanted to be since I started playing football,” Schultz said.

Schultz attended an offseason camp at Northern Arizona prior to his senior year, and returned home with a scholarship offer.

“They offered me from the camp, right there,” Schultz said. “I didn’t expect it at first, but afterward it was pretty awesome.”

Schultz said the NAU tight ends coaching invited him to meet head coach Jerome Souers.

“We went up to the coach’s office and they said they were going to offer,” Schultz said.

Schultz is one of four players to ink an NLI with NAU during the early signing period on Wednesday.

Colony head coach Rhett Magner was elated to see Schultz earn the opportunity.

“It’s fun to be a part of this. It’s awesome for him and his family. Great for his education and his future,” Magner said.

Magner said, with the size and skill set, Schultz has the chance to become a special player at the next level.

“He’s got all of the natural ability. He’s got he work ethic,” Magner said. “Being 6-7, he’s really fast. He’s fast, he’s agile. Movement, he knows how to use his body really well.”

Magner said Schultz will have to adjust to the physicality of Division I football, but the 6-7 frame is something coaches seek at the tight end position.

“With how well he can move, how athletic for how big he is, he gets into that (250-pound range), he’s going to be a force,” Magner said.

Magner said the experience and skills brought from hockey and basketball helped Schultz become a Division I player after three years of high school football.

“He’s played hockey his whole life. He’s been in physical situations for a long time. His foot speed, that’s attributed to hockey,” Magner said. “Playing basketball takes a lot of coordination.”

Schultz said other schools were considered, at different levels of college football, but after the camp in Arizona, NAU was the choice.

“I definitely wanted to get my school paid for. That’s a big thing for me,” Schultz, who plans to study physical therapy, said. “I’m definitely happy to be playing at the highest level I can.”

Schultz now joins Magner in a small group of Colony football players who had the chance to play Division I football. Magner, a 2005 graduate of Colony High School, signed with Bowling Green State as a senior in high school. The list also includes wide receivers Cole Magner (Bowling Green State), Jason Deml (Utah State and Louisana-Monroe) and Justin Schwartzbauer (Weber State); lineman Dominick Bellotte (Valporaiso); and punter Tim Egger (Arizona).

NAU finished 7-5 overall in 2017. The Lumberjacks were 5-2 in the Big Sky Conference and earned a spot in the Division I FCS postseason for the first time since 2013.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.