Jared Cohen
The Desert Vista football team had one of the most loaded defensive lines Arizona has seen in quite some time. One of the leaders of the line, defensive end Lorenzo Melvin.
In Melvin’s senior season he led the Thunder with ten sacks, was third on the team with 66 total tackles and had two forced fumbles. And he is going to be taking those strong defensive skills up to Flagstaff to suit up for his Father’s alma mater, the NAU Lumberjacks at the next level.
“Its closest to home compared to the other schools I received offers from,” said melvin. “And the bond I have with coaches, teammates and staff, the bond I felt made the decision.”
Melvin is expected to come into Coach Souers’ program and make an immediate impact on defense. He has an amazing ability to get pressure on the quarterback.
“My pass rush can help the team right away,” explained Melvin. “I am a natural pass rusher and I want to keep the quickness and toughness. If I work on the run stop I feel I can get on the field pretty soon.”
While Melvin was recruited by NAU as a defensive end, he expects to see some action as a linebacker as well. The Lumberjacks are looking to switch to a 3-4 defensive scheme which could put Melvin in an outside linebacker spot.
“I have been playing linebacker my whole life and would like to be put in a position to show my athleticism,” mentioned Melvin. “So I like that.”
Over the last several season, NAU has brought in quite a bit of local Arizona talent which has gone on to produce at the next level. One player that stands out is the current face of the Lumberjacks, running back and former Hamilton Husky Zack Bauman.
This 2013 class will bring another great batch of Arizona talent along with Melvin which include: tight end Patrick Baldenedgo, offensive lineman Tyler Shank and Tyler McClure all from Chandler. Plus defensive back Maurice White from Notre Dame prep just to name a few.
Melvin loves the Lumberjacks drive to bring up local talent and even more so, loves the class he is going to come up with.
“I am excited about the class we have coming in, there are a lot of valley kids heading up there,” Melvin said. “We also have 18 starters coming back, plus the starting defensive end is leaving next year, so there is an opportunity for young guys to coming in and play. We should be a good team and program for years to come.”
“Out of all my years at Desert Vista, we always won,” Melvin added. “I learned to always compete and look forward to continuing that tradition of winning up at NAU.”
Above all for Melvin, signing to play with NAU on National Letter of Intent day is dream come true. All of the hard work has paid off and he cannot wait to get started.
“Playing division I football, playing against the teams I will play against like UNLV, UC Davis, U of A and ASU, I am excited for the next chapter of my life and career,” Melvin explained. “I am over joyed.”
