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Editor's note: Every other Tuesday, the Muscatine Journal will profile a former high school athlete from the area that is playing college athletics. If you know of an athlete the Journal should feature, contact sports editor Matt Coss at 563-262-0528 or matt.coss@muscatinejournal.com.

MARYVILLE, Mo. – It may have been Jake Soy’s basketball prowess that clinched his football scholarship.

After Northwest Missouri State head coach Mel Tjeerdsma saw Soy play high school basketball for Durant-Bennett, the coach – in his 15th season with the Bearcats – knew that he was a player with potential.

So far, the redshirt sophomore has paid dividends for Tjeerdsma and his program.

“He was a productive player in high school,” Tjeerdsma said, “and when I watched him play basketball, I knew he was the kind of athlete we were looking for. We wanted a big receiver, and he’s lived up to the role.”

In three games this fall, the 6-foot-3 Soy has eight receptions for a team-high 148 yards and four touchdowns for the nation’s seventh-ranked team in Division II. Earlier this month against Southwest Baptist, Soy had four catches for 107 yards and three touchdowns.

“I hope so,” Soy said when asked if that performance was a sign of things to come. “It’s the way it works sometimes. Sometimes you see a lot (of action), sometimes you don’t see it at all.”

His long touchdown of the game against Southwest Baptist was 89 yards. A lot of that, according to Tjeerdsma, was yards after the catch.

“He probably caught the ball 20 yards downfield,” Tjeerdsma said. “He was open when he caught it. It was a perfect ball and no could run him down. I was impressed with his speed because it was close coverage and no one touched him.”

During the Bearcats’ opening game against Abilene Christian, Soy scored a touchdown and would have had another, but a chop block penalty negated the score. He caught two passes for 22 yards.

“It’s been really good so far,” Soy said of his early career with Northwest Missouri State. “I broke my rib during preseason last year and missed the first five games, but this year has gone well.”

Soy still managed to haul in 10 receptions for 140 yards in 2008, but Tjeerdsma said Soy had trouble getting into the mix after the injury. He has come back strong.

“He had a great spring,” Tjeerdsma said. “He worked hard in the weight room and is getting it done on the field. We’re pleased with where he’s at. He’s had big catches for a lot of yards which he is capable of making.”

Typically, after having Monday’s off, Soy’s week is jam-packed with football. He has full practice on Tuesday and Wednesday, weight lifting, football meetings and a light practice on Thursday and a walk-through on Friday before Saturday’s game.

Soy, who was on Durant’s only team to ever qualify for the state football playoffs in 2006, caught the eye of Northwest Missouri State recruiter Richard Wright. Tjeerdsma watched Soy on the basketball court, and the rest is history.

Soy said traveling 291 miles from home to attend college was something he planned all along. He has experienced a little ‘culture shock.’

“It’s a lot different,” Soy said. “There are many guys from different parts of the country here. It really opens my eyes to the culture. It’s been awesome.

“I hope everyone can experience it some day. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone where I didn’t know anyone.”

Yet, Soy still keeps in contact with friends, coaches and family in Durant.

“I talk with Ross (Petersen), Jamey Meyer and Donovan Whitehead,” he said. “I also keep close touch with my former coaches – coach (T.J.) Case and (Ryan) Rezac. The first game I played, it was on national TV and the second was on the Internet and radio. I couldn’t believe the texts, phone calls and e-mails of support I got from back in Durant. It was amazing.”

Overall, Soy said he has received great feedback from the coaches at Northwest Missouri State.

“I feel really positive,” Soy said. “Everyone tells me to keep up what I’m doing and things will happen.”

Soy said he only wants to establish himself this year, perhaps earn an all-conference berth. If he works hard enough, Tjeerdsma believes Soy has potential to improve even more.

“He can get better and better,” Tjeerdsma said. “He can possibly have a great career here.”

Getting to know Jake Soy

- School: Northwest Missouri State 

- Sport: Football

- Hometown: Durant

- Parents: Chris Soy and Holly Cherveny

- Year: Redshirt sophomore

- Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 210 pounds

- Position: Receiver

- Major: Business management