EDINBURG — Edinburg Vela’s Kaden Truitt waited for his moment during his two-year career with the SaberCats. As a junior, he spotlighted at different positions across the offensive line, serving as a rotational player.
This past season, Truitt became a full-time starter, helping pave the way for the SaberCats’ dominant rushing attack en route to Edinburg Vela’s fourth perfect regular season (10-0) in five years under head coach John Campbell.
The 6-foot-2, 255-pound lineman made the most of his senior year, garnering the attention of NCAA Division I program Tennessee State. On Thursday, Truitt made it official, signing his national letter of intent in front of coaches, family and friends, committing to play for the Tigers next fall.
“It’s exciting,” Truitt said. “I worked hard for this. It’s kind of a lifelong dream come true. I was a little bit nervous; I’m not going to lie. There are a lot of expectations involved in kind of signing your life away. But for the most part I’m excited. It’s a blessing and opportunity. Not many people get to do this kind of stuff.”
Tennessee State, an HBCU (historically black colleges and universities), is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. The Tigers are a part of the Ohio Valley Conference and are coached by 1995 Heisman trophy winner and former Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George.
Truitt is the second Edinburg Vela football player to sign to play Division I football this week, joining quarterback Chase Campbell, who committed to play at Arkansas State on Tuesday.
“It’s so cliché but it really does take a village to raise a child,” Coach Campbell said. “Although these opportunities reflect the program, they’re also a reflection of the patience, resilience and individual work ethic of the athlete. Then you can’t discount the support of the family. We’re proud of what we’re doing with our program and the fact they’re getting these opportunities through our program. But at the same time, it’s an acknowledgment of all the moving pieces that are involved with our program and with these kids.”
Truitt proved to be a versatile asset to the front five as a two-year letter winner for the SaberCats, playing multiple positions.
“He’s very athletic for a big guy. He’s coming in at roughly 260 pounds, and we know he’ll have to get bigger at the college level. That’s what’s exciting about him, though,” Campbell said. “He represents potential. He’s smart, athletic and young. … . As you watch his video, you notice continued improvement. I don’t want to say he’s a finished product, but I don’t want to say potential in a way that states he’s not bringing a certain skillset to the table. The university is basically going to have the opportunity to put the finishing touches on him, so to say.”
This past season, the SaberCats averaged 210.9 yards per game on the ground with Truitt serving as an anchor on the front five, compiling 2,742 yards and 35 touchdowns in 13 games. Their most dominant performance came during the second round of the Class 6A playoffs, pounding the rock 53 times for 437 yards and three touchdowns on their way to a 27-24 victory.
“We practice running the ball every day for months that it just became second nature,” Truitt said. “We go on the dummies and other drills, it’s the same old thing on the field, just a different place. I do prefer pass blocking because it’s easier and I feel I have a better mind for it. But run blocking is always fun. It’s always fun to lay someone on their butt.”