After Todd Feiereisen ’06 spent most of his first three years on the sideline, the football coaching staff made one small change: his position. As a result, Feiereisen, formerly a backup quarterback, has been making tremendous strides this season as a wide receiver.
“He is obviously a great athlete so we believed that he would be able to make the adjustment,” wide receiver coach Matt Dence said.
With high school letters in football and track, Feiereisen came to Yale prepared to play. He made his first varsity appearance during his sophomore year on special teams, and now as a starting wide receiver Feiereisen has proved himself not only to his coaches and teammates, but also to the entire Ivy League.
He is currently second on the team in touchdown receptions (7), second in the league in receptions (43) and third in receiving yards per game (72.6).
Feiereisen’s efforts have not changed as a result of his success, Dence said.
“He has practiced at the same level since he was a backup quarterback on the JV level,” he said. “He just gives you his all no matter what his roll on the team has been.”
One of the reasons for his success could be his ability to stay level-headed during stressful situations, head coach Jack Siedlecki said.
“Todd is a calming presence on the field,” Siedlecki said. “He does not get rattled, and wants the ball in big situations.”
This was never truer than last week when he caught eight passes for 115 yards and the biggest touchdown of Yale’s season.
Feiereisen said he could not be more thrilled that his last game as an Eli is against the Crimson.
“It is such an unbelievable tradition,” Feiereisen said. “Having the ability to play in front of over 40,000 people is something I have dreamt about since my first year of playing football.”