The transition from high school to college can be difficult for anyone, but for an athlete, it can be that much tougher.

That’s why it has been a welcome sign for football coach Butch Jones that freshman running back Jahleel Addae has been able to enroll in classes and work out with the team early this summer.

“His school ended early so as soon as we could get him enrolled, we got him up here,” Jones said.

Addae isn’t completely new to college football. His older brother Jahmile was a four-year letterman as a defensive back at West Virginia and is currently a coach at the University of Michigan. Addae had been living and working out with his brother in Ann Arbor until he was able to join the Chippewas at the end of May.

“I was really looking forward to coming up here,” Addae said. “I’ve loved football since the age of 7. Watching my brother play and me playing college Division I football is what I’ve dreamed of, and now the opportunity is here.”

Addae is the only freshman player on campus until the rest of the class reports later this month. He said the older players have made the adjustment to college life easier.

“Our players have done a great job of welcoming him with open arms,” Jones said. “We have a big brother program for all of our freshman. We assign older players to all of our them and they’ve done a great job of mentoring him so he doesn’t get home sick.”

Addae hasn’t gotten home sick, but he has had to adjust to walking everywhere as he does not have a car on campus.

“Guys have looked out for me and given me rides,” he said. “We have a good group of guys here.”

Junior quarterback Dan LeFevour hasn’t had the chance to see Addae in action on the field, but has been impressed with the work that Addae has put in during his short time with the team.

“It can be demanding for any freshman coming in our program, especially with all the lifting and conditioning,” he said. “He’s been able to keep up with all the workouts. He’s done a great job of making all the lifts and keeping up with all of the older guys.”

Addae admits that the adjustment to a rigid and demanding workout schedule has been tough but believes that he will get used to it just like his older teammates have.

“Coming from high school you really don’t come from an established workout program,” he said. “It’s really different, we squat a lot and run a lot but it’s all for the best. Even if it hurts.”

The Valrico, Fla., native is one of a growing number of players from the sunshine state on the Central Michigan roster. This is due in large part to Jones, who has known Addae since he was an assistant coach at West Virginia.

Addae had initially commited to WVU, but Jones was able to convince him to come to Mount Pleasant.

“We have great aspirations for where we want to take this program,” Jones said. ” I have been recruiting Jahleel since he was a sophomore in high school, so the relationship that he and I have and the relationship that I have with his parents is huge. They trusted me and I thank them for that.”

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