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For most college players, the beginning of preseason workouts marks an annual rite of passage that signifies the start of another school year.

In the case of reserve SMU nose tackle Jesse Andrew, the start of 2009 practices represents something entirely different. The players will check in on Andrew's fifth wedding anniversary, and while his teammates can harken back to recent accolades as star high school players, Andrew — who, at 27, is nearly 10 years older than his youngest teammates — can reflect on a past that includes his wedding, enrollment at four different colleges and a military career that included two tours of duty in Iraq.

Andrew spent the 2008 as a walk-on defensive lineman on the Mustangs' scout team, and visited recently with PonyFans.com to discuss his possible roles in the upcoming season, and how his unique background has him prepared for whatever challenges await.

http://www.ponyfans.com/features/index.php?id=109

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Nice article.

I have gone blank on the name, but we had a similar young man on our team (68-72). A Marine. He was not very big (220ish), comparably, to today's players, but he played defensive line and was a force when he was in. Played much bigger than his size. The maturity helps a lot, and I would bet Jesse will be a good addition to the team.

How can you not end up rooting for this guy? He's moved enough by the events of the world to enlist in the military, when he had college and a girlfriend as more than enough reason to stay home, and still comes back to pursue his football dream.

Go get 'em, Jesse. Give 'em hell!

katoosh

What does that mean?

I don't care if this guy makes one tackle or makes the all-conference team — he's already one of my favorite Mustangs, and I'm proud he's on our team. Sounds like a great young man.

Great story.

Glad he is wearing the red white and blue!

good luck and nice story

happy anniversary

its the same bday as raplh's

Reporting for pre-season camp is a rough way to celebrate your anniversary. Jesse must have a really cool wife.

Great story, guys.

As a mustang I want to see this man do well.
And we NEED him to do well.
Go Mustangs

Great story. Sounds like a great guy, too.

This guy makes me proud to be from SMU

alaska pony wrote:This guy makes me proud to be from SMU

Me too - exactly what I was thinking.

Any word on him in practice? Someone said that he had the biggest arms in camp, and would probably see some time on special teams.

Jesse has been running this week as the third-team nose tackle, after starter Chris Parham and second-stringer Evan Huahulu.

They haven't done a lot of work yet with the specific special teams — mostly covering on kickoffs and punts. I'll try to pay attention to which teams he's on as the special teams units get clarified when the SFA game gets closer.