Jerry Slota hates taking no for an answer, even uttering the word.
“My dad always told me: ‘Don’t say no. Don’t say you can’t do something,’ ” Slota said.
Especially when it comes to football, Slota ignores the word as though he were a 2-year-old or Brett Favre.
The 2009 Colorado high school graduate joined the thousands nationally who took pen and paper in hand and participated in national signing day Wednesday by inking with the Jacksonville (Ala.) State Gamecocks.
Few in the state, or elsewhere, have had his kind of football odyssey.
The Golden resident began his prep career at Class 5A power Mullen. For two years, little playing time and injury led to the suggestion that he move to linebacker. It was tough to take for a kid whose idol since he was age 5 was John Elway.
Sure, Slota said, he thought about quitting, but he transferred to Chaparral. He overcame additional injury as a junior, and as a senior in 2008 had 2,200 yards total offense, as well as producing 22 touchdowns, in the 5A Southern Conference. Plus, the Wolverines improved their record by six victories.
After mild recruiting interest, he opted to be a walk-on quarterback for Colorado’s Buffaloes. Slota was moved back and forth from offense and defense, but nothing compared to when he left after the season and transferred to De Anza (Community) College in Cupertino, in California’s Bay Area.
Among players as old as 29, wannabes clinging to their dreams as well and hopefuls fresh from serving in the military, Slota as a quarterback led the Dons in passing and rushing. He also was the team’s fourth-leading receiver. Giving new meaning to the term ironman, Slota saw time at fullback, H-back, tight end, slotback, wide receiver and strong safety. During practice or games, he seemed to be all over the field.
“I got to be in the game somewhere,” Slota said. “I played in one game and all week during practice I was on defense. I was in the game as a strong safety, but also played slot, wide receiver, tight end, H-back and fullback.”
Slota, 6-feet-2 and 230 pounds, termed the experience “as really enjoyable.”
His coach at Chaparral isn’t surprised.
“It’s like he had a freaking Pop Warner League deal,” John Vogt said. “The kid can play, I know that. He perseveres. When he transferred as a junior in my first year here, he had a broken bone in his throwing elbow. But he kept working, and I think it will work out for him.”
Jacksonville State is a program Slota admits to not knowing much about until its staff came courting. Gamecocks coaches envision Slota as an H-back, tight end or quarterback in the wildcat formation, not unlike Tim Tebow’s early forays with the Broncos. Slota has three years of eligibility remaining.
Slota’s interest off the field is in business and finance, and he’ll bring with him a 3.56 grade-point average as well as the will to keep playing football.
“I’m definitely enjoying the journey,” he said. “The dream is still real. I’m going to keep playing for as long as I can. I think every kid who loves football wants to do that.”
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
