Nebraska Football: Cam Jurgens’ journey could reach new highs

Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce announced his retirement on Monday afternoon. Kelce wrapped up a 13-season career that included a Super Bowl championship.  Who will step up at the center position? Former Nebraska football center Cam Jurgens certainly has a case.

It really is a remarkable journey when you think about how Jurgens started his football career. Jurgens grew up on a cattle ranch, and was able to parlay his toughness into success in high school. The Pickrell, Neb. native played tight and, fullback, linebacker, and punter on the football team.  Jurgen went into the collegiate ranks as a tight end. He was a four-star recruit, and the sixth overall tight end in the 2018 class. He was also the top player in the state of Nebraska that year.

Jurgens’ journey through Nebraska football

Jurgens first made a sizable impact in 2019. He started as a redshirt freshman in every game at center after switching to the position in 2018 He struggled with snapping issues that year, but worked through them as the season progressed.

2020 saw him start seven of eight games at center as a sophomore. Again, he continued to build at the center position, and that set him up for a solid final season. He still needed a little bit more work, but the development was noticeable. He would make that leap the following year.

2021 saw him start every game at center, and continue a streak of 18 consecutive starts. He was named to the All-Conference Third- Team by the end of the season. He also was able to grab honorable mention recognition from the Big Ten. At the time, some thought he could’ve used another year of development at Nebraska. Nevertheless, he bet on himself and declared for the NFL Draft.

He made the right decision, as he first impressed at the Combine, in what was a remarkable display of athleticism. Jurgens ran a 4.92 40-yard dash, and a 1.71 10-yard split That led him to being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round, with the 52^nd overall selection. He bet on himself, and he won.

It truly has been quite a football journey for Jurgens. When you look at how he had to develop at the center position, and the progress he made, it is impressive to say the least. The local Nebraska kid was able to defy odds and make it to the NFL. Now, he figures to be very much in the mix at the center position.

Some players translate a little bit better NFL than they do in college. Jurgens is one of those players. He has been able to see the field as well, appearing in 28 overall games in two seasons, 11 of them in the starting role.

Now, he will have the opportunity to possibly start full-time. There were not too many positive things to come out of the Scott Frost era, but Jurgens is without a doubt a success story. Here’s to hoping he continues to hold down the position, one that he worked so hard to get to.

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