Veteran Linebacker Pedraza Turns Tragedy into Triumph
8/5/2025 7:16:00 AM | Football
By Jeff Honza
Associate Director of Athletics for Strategic Communications
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Jared Pedraza's college football career is one of tragedy and triumph.
Pedraza is the most experienced player on Southeast Missouri's roster spending his entire career between stops at two different Football Championship Subdivision schools.
A native of Franklin, Texas, which is located nearly 700 miles from Cape Girardeau, Pedraza amassed over 200 tackles in five years at Southland Conference member Northwestern State before joining the Redhawks last season.
In 2023, Pedraza was having a great year as Northwestern State's top defender with 50 tackles and 4.5 sacks six games into the season when tragedy struck. His teammate, Ronnie Caldwell, was fatally shot.
Following the incident, then-NSU Head Coach Brad Laird resigned, and the university's president made the decision to cancel the team's final four games of that season to preserve the well-being of those in the program.
To make matters worse, Pedraza's father, Jose, passed away two months later.
"It was a devastating blow to our team, and a reminder of how fragile life can be. Losing two significant figures in my life in such a short span was incredibly tough to deal with," Pedraza said when looking back on the 2023 season.
During those trying times, Pedraza decided to transfer. He received multiple offers in the process and said something about SEMO just felt right.
"I was trying to find my footing again and regain the confidence that had been shaken by the recent events," Pedraza said. "The opportunity to play football at SEMO renewed my desire to prove myself both on and off the field."
Pedraza made a big splash in his Redhawk debut at inside linebacker helping lead his new team to a 2024 Ohio Valley Conference-Big South title and automatic berth in the NCAA FCS Playoffs.
He ranked fifth on the team with 49 tackles, added 5.5 tackles for loss and posted one sack. Pedraza led SEMO with six tackles in an emotional 19-0 shutout at home against his former NSU squad on Sept. 28.
"The sense of community and support I received from my coaches and teammates here at SEMO helped me through the darkest days," said Pedraza. "Despite all the challenges, we won a championship, and I met people who have become lifelong friends. Last year was a true testament to the power of resilience and the strength that comes from facing adversity head-on."
While football is a significant part of his life, Pedraza is an excellent golfer and uses golf as a mechanism to provide comfort and balance.
"I took up golf about two-and-a-half years ago and it's become a passion that I pursue with vigor," he said. "There's something about the mental challenge and the ups and downs of golf that remind me of life itself. In a way, it's a perfect complement to the demands of football."
As one of three graduate students on this year's team, Pedraza already has a full-time job waiting for him once he completes his master's degree in management. That opportunity is right here in the Show Me State.
"I have a job lined up thanks to an internship with a finance company," Pedraza confirmed. "I plan to stay in Missouri for the next few years and explore the possibilities my degree has to offer."
Still ahead for Pedraza though is one more season of college football and he is anxious to leave his legacy.
"At the end of the day, my journey as a student-athlete at SEMO has been a whirlwind of emotions, challenges and triumphs. I have truly grown as a leader, found balance through my love for football and golf and overcome personal and team tragedies. With each passing day, I strive to make the most of my time here in Cape Girardeau and take nothing for granted," said Pedraza.
Associate Director of Athletics for Strategic Communications
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Jared Pedraza's college football career is one of tragedy and triumph.
Pedraza is the most experienced player on Southeast Missouri's roster spending his entire career between stops at two different Football Championship Subdivision schools.
A native of Franklin, Texas, which is located nearly 700 miles from Cape Girardeau, Pedraza amassed over 200 tackles in five years at Southland Conference member Northwestern State before joining the Redhawks last season.
In 2023, Pedraza was having a great year as Northwestern State's top defender with 50 tackles and 4.5 sacks six games into the season when tragedy struck. His teammate, Ronnie Caldwell, was fatally shot.
Following the incident, then-NSU Head Coach Brad Laird resigned, and the university's president made the decision to cancel the team's final four games of that season to preserve the well-being of those in the program.
To make matters worse, Pedraza's father, Jose, passed away two months later.
"It was a devastating blow to our team, and a reminder of how fragile life can be. Losing two significant figures in my life in such a short span was incredibly tough to deal with," Pedraza said when looking back on the 2023 season.
During those trying times, Pedraza decided to transfer. He received multiple offers in the process and said something about SEMO just felt right.
"I was trying to find my footing again and regain the confidence that had been shaken by the recent events," Pedraza said. "The opportunity to play football at SEMO renewed my desire to prove myself both on and off the field."
Pedraza made a big splash in his Redhawk debut at inside linebacker helping lead his new team to a 2024 Ohio Valley Conference-Big South title and automatic berth in the NCAA FCS Playoffs.
He ranked fifth on the team with 49 tackles, added 5.5 tackles for loss and posted one sack. Pedraza led SEMO with six tackles in an emotional 19-0 shutout at home against his former NSU squad on Sept. 28.
"The sense of community and support I received from my coaches and teammates here at SEMO helped me through the darkest days," said Pedraza. "Despite all the challenges, we won a championship, and I met people who have become lifelong friends. Last year was a true testament to the power of resilience and the strength that comes from facing adversity head-on."
While football is a significant part of his life, Pedraza is an excellent golfer and uses golf as a mechanism to provide comfort and balance.
"I took up golf about two-and-a-half years ago and it's become a passion that I pursue with vigor," he said. "There's something about the mental challenge and the ups and downs of golf that remind me of life itself. In a way, it's a perfect complement to the demands of football."
As one of three graduate students on this year's team, Pedraza already has a full-time job waiting for him once he completes his master's degree in management. That opportunity is right here in the Show Me State.
"I have a job lined up thanks to an internship with a finance company," Pedraza confirmed. "I plan to stay in Missouri for the next few years and explore the possibilities my degree has to offer."
Still ahead for Pedraza though is one more season of college football and he is anxious to leave his legacy.
"At the end of the day, my journey as a student-athlete at SEMO has been a whirlwind of emotions, challenges and triumphs. I have truly grown as a leader, found balance through my love for football and golf and overcome personal and team tragedies. With each passing day, I strive to make the most of my time here in Cape Girardeau and take nothing for granted," said Pedraza.
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