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EDINBORO — Only a junior with two years of college football eligibility remaining, Saige Ley isn't biding his time.
The Edinboro middle linebacker and Seneca Valley graduate has been putting in time — and getting results.
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Ley is leading the Fighting Scots in tackles this season with 35, including 16 solo stops. He had three solo tackles in Saturday's loss to sixth-ranked Slippery Rock.
“Saige is such a hard worker, constantly getting his game to translate to the next level,” Edinboro coach Jake Nulph said. “He's always in the film room, always in the weight room.
“As hard as he works on the field, his preparation work has been even harder.”
Ley started as a true freshman for the Fighting Scots in 2019, collecting 29 solo tackles, 49 tackles in all, 5.5 tackles for loss and an interception. Of course, there was no NCAA Division II football in 2020.
Ley didn't waste that time, either.
“He kept up with his workouts on his own and stayed in contact with his teammates to make sure they were doing the same,” Edinboro defensive coordinator and Slippery Rock High School graduate Tony Papley said. “This kid is a true leader. Even though he has years left and there are seniors on this team, the defense does gravitate to him.
“Saige is the guy calling out the plays on defense, making sure everyone is in the right place.”
Ley was a two-year starter in high school and was an All-WPIAL performer for Seneca Valley. He started for the Raider team that reached the WPIAL Class 6A title game his senior year, knocking off rival North Allegheny along the way.
He tallied 78 tackles, 23 TFL's and 15 quarterback sacks during a stellar senior season.
Coming out of high school, he had plenty of choices for his college destination.
“A lot of the PSAC schools recruited me,” Ley said. “I chose Edinboro because of the family feel that's here. I loved the atmosphere when I came up here to visit.”
He admits he has plenty of room to grow as a player.
“I can improve in so many ways,” Ley said. “Basically, it's doing all the little things right, being more consistent as a player. I feel like our defense is coming along and I have to keep coming along with it.”
Before surrendering 43 points to SRU in Saturday, the Fighting Scots had allowed only seven points to Seton Hill and 20 to an undefeated California (Pa.) team in their two previous games.
“Saige is basically playing a new position in college,” Papley said. “He was listed as linebacker in high school, but he was basically a defensive end, standing up at the end of the defensive line and going after the quarterback. As a linebacker in our formation, he has a totally different role to adjust to and he hasn't even played two years here yet.
“His production is going to continue to pick up as he grows into his position on our defense.”
Ley has a redshirt freshman — Nick Cunningham — playing the linebacker spot next to him. The Scots start six seniors defensively, meaning Ley will have even more responsibility as an experienced player over the next two years.
“I love his enthusiasm and how dedicated he is to this program,” Papley said. “I picked up on that as soon as I got here. He works hard at everything we throw at him because he wants to get better.
“All Saige Ley wants to do is win. That's what he cares about.”
An exercise science major, Ley says he wants to be a strength coach after he graduates.
Right now, he's still donning a football uniform.
“The potential is here for us to win,” Ley said. “All we have to do is keep on working to bring it out.”
