Cam Jurgens, a notable figure in American football, has risen through the ranks to become a prominent center for the Philadelphia Eagles. Entering his senior year with four-star tight end ratings, Jurgens was named the best player in the state. On both sides of the ball, he showed off his versatility playing fullback, linebacker, punter and offensive and defensive lines against Elkhorn. His path has been characterized by grit, family encouragement, and critical crossroads that created the football player he would quickly become.
Jurgens’ early years were steeped in the values of hard work and perseverance, influenced heavily by his family’s farming background. His family farms 1500 acres of corn, wheat, and oats. According to Ted’s father, the first corn harvest will be several weeks earlier than normal due to the severity of this summer’s drought. The principles he learned from farming—hard work and perseverance—have, and continue to be, key to his success on the gridiron.
During his senior year at Beatrice High School in Nebraska, Jurgens made a significant impact in every position he played. James Ford, the principal of Beatrice High, remarked, “Cam Jurgens was a difference-maker every place he was put.” His flexibility opened the door for his move inside. This rededication and determination to move the team forward was advised by his new coach for the upcoming season, Josh Olynyk.
Jurgens was dealing with hurdles that pushed him to his limits. He heard a loud pop when he dove to tackle a defensive end during practice. In the process, he experienced a severe concussion and left with a shattered helmet. An MRI confirmed that the injury had lessened in severity as the end of the season approached. Sadly, this injury led to him missing the rest of the football season and the entire basketball season.
Just as Jurgens struggled with these challenges, Nebraska took a historic step by firing coach Mike Riley and hiring Scott Frost. Frost had to talk him out of jumping ship early to the NFL draft. He’d cautioned that moving there would be “the worst blunder of your existence.” After playing three seasons at Michigan, Jurgens made the choice to enter the draft. He still had two full seasons of eligibility left due to the COVID year. His lofty play saw him find his name on the aforementioned watch list for the Rimington Trophy in 2021. This award is given to the best center in college football.
At the 2022 NFL Draft on April 29, 2022, Jurgens was chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round with the 51st overall pick. He started training camp with reduced reps but by August he was cleared for full participation. His move to the pro game was not without its pressures. As my fellow Eagle Lane Johnson recently pointed out, players are often labeled a boom or bust during their careers. He stressed that this pressure is what increases the focus that may just provide players the advantage when it all comes down to the wire.
“I think with that pressure, it allows a deeper level of focus and maybe gives us the edge when you kind of have everything on the line.” – Lane Johnson
Well, Jason Kelce will retire on March 4, 2024. Cam Jurgens is going to be the new starter! This change represents an important turning point in his career. He is enthusiastically embracing the challenges that clearly come with this new position. The staff kept advising him to return to school even though he’d already won all kinds of honors and was a physical marvel.
“But I was right in moving you to center …” – Scott Frost
The journey from high school standout to NFL player illustrates not only Jurgens’ athletic prowess but his ability to overcome challenges and adapt. Reflecting on his path, he expressed confidence in his decision-making: “I’m like, ‘Well, I’m just gonna bet on myself.’”
Leave a Reply