By DAVID VANTRESS

For the Northwest News

Carroll High School senior Jorge Valdes has signed a national letter of intent to play football at Indiana State University in Terre Haute.

Chargers head coach Doug Dinan said Valdes has been a 4-year letter-winner and a 3-year starter.

“For a kid to start for multiple years in a large-school program like ours, that says a lot,” Dinan said. “He’s a tremendous football player and a great leader.”

Valdes, from his safety position, was like a quarterback on the defense, according to Dinan. “He was in the film room a lot,” Dinan said.

Valdes was the Mental Attitude Award winner at the state finals, and that’s a great tribute to what he brings to a team both on and off the field, Dinan added.

Valdes said getting the college decision finalized was a relief. “Knowing where my home is going to be for the next four years is huge,” Valdes said.

Making an official visit made all the difference for Valdes, he said. He plans to major in engineering.

Valdes plans to run track this spring as part of a relay team that qualified for state last year and work out regularly before reporting to Indiana State at the end of June.

Valdes said he hopes to step in and make a difference right away, perhaps on special teams, where many college football players see their first action.