Fresno State Athletics
Nathan Madsen: Maximizing an Opportunity
10/19/2017 10:00:00 AM | Football
Fresno State senior defensive lineman Nathan Madsen has certainly made the most of his opportunity to play football at Fresno State.
Sometimes in life, all you really need is a chance. A chance to prove yourself. A chance to maximize your potential and strive for greatness every single day.
For senior defensive lineman Nathan Madsen, that chance was given to him by Fresno State out of high school to play Division I football and he has worked to prove himself worthy every day since.
Growing up in Eureka, California, a small remote port city in the northern part of the state, Madsen enjoyed a simple small-town life growing up where everyone knows everyone with his parents, James and Terra, and an older brother and sister.
The youngest in the family, Madsen grew up looking up to his older siblings, in particular, his older brother, who was very active in sports. Looking up to those two and wanting to keep up with them, he got his start in football and basketball at a young age, picking up golf in high school, and never looked back.
Constantly staying busy and active, Madsen began to get bigger as his time at Eureka High School wore on and not knowing which route he was going to take after high school, he began to attract recruiting interest from colleges for football. Seeing interest as a junior, this helped his decision-making process.
With more and more programs showing interest in him, Madsen realized what a special opportunity he had in front of him.
"That really surprised me to see all the interest from schools because Eureka and Humboldt County are sort of in the middle of nowhere," Madsen said. "I realized how much they really wanted me to spend all that time driving up or flying up to see me and I took that to heart. I remember Fresno State coming by my high school and the coaches talked about the program and opportunities there. I remember seeing the Bulldogs on ESPN
with Derek Carr and all the success they were having and after I took an official visit, I really liked the area, I knew it was the school for me."
Not known for being a fertile recruiting ground, making it out of Eureka with a full Division I scholarship is certainly something Madsen hangs his hat on.
"Being such a secluded place, a lot of high school athletes do not get the opportunity to go and play college athletics, so those that are able to, people really look up to them," he said.
Selected to play in the Cal State Bowl All-Star Game following his senior season in 2012, Madsen arrived on campus in the summer of 2013 weighing 260 pounds and not quite ready for the rigors of college football. After sitting out for a redshirt year, spending plenty of time in the weight room and learning how to work from veteran players like Derek Carr and Tyeler Davison, Madsen made his Bulldog debut against No. 15 USC in the 2014 season opener in his second season.
He learned quickly he wasn't playing in the Suburban West conference anymore.
"It came at me really fast," recalled Madsen on his first game experience. "I remember getting my first start at home against Nebraska and just blocking out all the distractions and focusing on my technique and getting my job done. When you get in between the white lines, there is nothing else and you can just focus on doing your job. That is what is so great about football and that year, I just focused on being the best I could to help the team win."
With his time in the weight room starting to pay dividends, Madsen had packed on 30 pounds of muscle by the time his redshirt sophomore season rolled around in 2015. A shortage of defensive lineman, including the departure of Davison to the NFL Draft, forced Madsen to make a position change as the defensive end was shifted to nose guard.
"The position change was certainly not something I expected, but when the coaches told me the news, I knew I had to take it with my best attitude and attack it," Madsen said. "I tried to learn it to the best of my ability, but being a young player having to take on double teams, I certainly wasn't used to that, but it made me a better player."
Starting 11 games at nose guard in 2015, Madsen recorded his first career sack against San Jose State, finishing the season with 19 tackles as the 'Dogs struggled to a 3-9 mark.
Shifting back to end in a 3-4 defense last season, the 'Dogs suffered through one of its worst seasons in program history. That adversity taught Madsen plenty of life lessons.
"We all worked really hard every day and it's difficult when you are not getting the outcome you want," Madsen said. "It really taught me you can talk about working hard, but that will not guarantee you success and life is not fair. Nobody is just going to hand you a win and I think that taught all of the players a lot of things and adds fuel to your fire when you have to go through something like that."
After four years with the same coaching staff, new Bulldog head coach Jeff Tedford brought in a new staff this spring, Madsen had to endure another transition as he shifted to defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense.
"It was tough at first, because with the previous staff you build credit, they know who you are and are familiar with knowing what you can do," he said. "When you get a new coaching staff, all of that goes away and everyone starts at ground zero and has to prove themselves again. It was almost like I was a freshman again and you have to show the coaches that you are worth their time and effort."
Certainly endearing himself to Tedford, new defensive coordinator Orlondo Steinauer and defensive line coach Jamar Cain, Madsen, along with wide receiver KeeSean Johnson, were selected as the Bulldogs' two student-athletes representatives for this year's Mountain West media days.
"That was such an honor, because it showed what my teammates and coaches thought about me," Madsen said. "I was not thinking about myself, but about representing Fresno State and the community. It was an awesome experience and getting to represent the school and football program was certainly a big honor."
As two of only five fifth-year seniors on the Fresno State roster in 2017, Robert Stanley has been with Madsen every step of the way during the pair's time at Fresno State.
"I would say Nathan really embodies what being a Bulldog is all about," Stanley said. "He has really seen the highs and lows of Bulldog football during his time at Fresno State and is a great teammate and role model for younger players to look up to and model themselves after."
Continuing to work and improve every day, the Bulldogs are off to a 3-2 start in 2017 and have begun Mountain West play 2-0 for the first time since 2014.
With the 'Dogs on the road back to their winning ways, Madsen knows the Bulldogs still have a lot of work ahead of them.
"I am really excited about the direction we are going, but we are just starting this and we have a long way to go," the senior said. "We have to keep working because we have not been guaranteed anything yet."
A career that has certainly taken Madsen on many journeys on the field, in the classroom he earned his bachelor's degree last spring in criminology and is currently pursuing his master's degree in public administration.
One of only two seniors on the team who have already earned their undergraduate degrees, Madsen hopes he can be a role model to his younger teammates.
"I hope by earning my degree it shows my teammates that it is not just about football here, but it is about getting a degree," he said. "Completing your goal of getting a bachelor's degree and following through with that will help set you up for later in life since you are here at school to get an education."
Through the highs and the lows, Madsen has had many fond memories during his time as a Bulldog.
"It's hard to point out one specific memory, but I would say the thing I will remember most about my time at Fresno State is all the friends I have made and the people I have met whether it be players, people in the community, coaches, staff members or teachers. Those relationships will last for the rest of my life."
For a kid from small town in California, who could have easily gotten overlooked, Madsen has certainly taken full advantage of his chance.
"When I made that decision to come here, I could have never imagined this is what it would turn out like," he said. "There have been good times and bad, but it's a journey I wouldn't replace it with anything else. Every day, I think I am such a lucky guy to be in the position I am and to be where I am. I am happy to be on this team and be at Fresno State."
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160
Â
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateFB
Instagram:Â Fresno_State_Football
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat:Â FSAthletics
For senior defensive lineman Nathan Madsen, that chance was given to him by Fresno State out of high school to play Division I football and he has worked to prove himself worthy every day since.
Growing up in Eureka, California, a small remote port city in the northern part of the state, Madsen enjoyed a simple small-town life growing up where everyone knows everyone with his parents, James and Terra, and an older brother and sister.
The youngest in the family, Madsen grew up looking up to his older siblings, in particular, his older brother, who was very active in sports. Looking up to those two and wanting to keep up with them, he got his start in football and basketball at a young age, picking up golf in high school, and never looked back.
Constantly staying busy and active, Madsen began to get bigger as his time at Eureka High School wore on and not knowing which route he was going to take after high school, he began to attract recruiting interest from colleges for football. Seeing interest as a junior, this helped his decision-making process.
With more and more programs showing interest in him, Madsen realized what a special opportunity he had in front of him.
"That really surprised me to see all the interest from schools because Eureka and Humboldt County are sort of in the middle of nowhere," Madsen said. "I realized how much they really wanted me to spend all that time driving up or flying up to see me and I took that to heart. I remember Fresno State coming by my high school and the coaches talked about the program and opportunities there. I remember seeing the Bulldogs on ESPN
with Derek Carr and all the success they were having and after I took an official visit, I really liked the area, I knew it was the school for me."
Not known for being a fertile recruiting ground, making it out of Eureka with a full Division I scholarship is certainly something Madsen hangs his hat on.
"Being such a secluded place, a lot of high school athletes do not get the opportunity to go and play college athletics, so those that are able to, people really look up to them," he said.
Selected to play in the Cal State Bowl All-Star Game following his senior season in 2012, Madsen arrived on campus in the summer of 2013 weighing 260 pounds and not quite ready for the rigors of college football. After sitting out for a redshirt year, spending plenty of time in the weight room and learning how to work from veteran players like Derek Carr and Tyeler Davison, Madsen made his Bulldog debut against No. 15 USC in the 2014 season opener in his second season.
He learned quickly he wasn't playing in the Suburban West conference anymore.
"It came at me really fast," recalled Madsen on his first game experience. "I remember getting my first start at home against Nebraska and just blocking out all the distractions and focusing on my technique and getting my job done. When you get in between the white lines, there is nothing else and you can just focus on doing your job. That is what is so great about football and that year, I just focused on being the best I could to help the team win."
With his time in the weight room starting to pay dividends, Madsen had packed on 30 pounds of muscle by the time his redshirt sophomore season rolled around in 2015. A shortage of defensive lineman, including the departure of Davison to the NFL Draft, forced Madsen to make a position change as the defensive end was shifted to nose guard.
"The position change was certainly not something I expected, but when the coaches told me the news, I knew I had to take it with my best attitude and attack it," Madsen said. "I tried to learn it to the best of my ability, but being a young player having to take on double teams, I certainly wasn't used to that, but it made me a better player."
Starting 11 games at nose guard in 2015, Madsen recorded his first career sack against San Jose State, finishing the season with 19 tackles as the 'Dogs struggled to a 3-9 mark.
Shifting back to end in a 3-4 defense last season, the 'Dogs suffered through one of its worst seasons in program history. That adversity taught Madsen plenty of life lessons.
"We all worked really hard every day and it's difficult when you are not getting the outcome you want," Madsen said. "It really taught me you can talk about working hard, but that will not guarantee you success and life is not fair. Nobody is just going to hand you a win and I think that taught all of the players a lot of things and adds fuel to your fire when you have to go through something like that."
After four years with the same coaching staff, new Bulldog head coach Jeff Tedford brought in a new staff this spring, Madsen had to endure another transition as he shifted to defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense.
"It was tough at first, because with the previous staff you build credit, they know who you are and are familiar with knowing what you can do," he said. "When you get a new coaching staff, all of that goes away and everyone starts at ground zero and has to prove themselves again. It was almost like I was a freshman again and you have to show the coaches that you are worth their time and effort."
Certainly endearing himself to Tedford, new defensive coordinator Orlondo Steinauer and defensive line coach Jamar Cain, Madsen, along with wide receiver KeeSean Johnson, were selected as the Bulldogs' two student-athletes representatives for this year's Mountain West media days.
"That was such an honor, because it showed what my teammates and coaches thought about me," Madsen said. "I was not thinking about myself, but about representing Fresno State and the community. It was an awesome experience and getting to represent the school and football program was certainly a big honor."
As two of only five fifth-year seniors on the Fresno State roster in 2017, Robert Stanley has been with Madsen every step of the way during the pair's time at Fresno State.
"I would say Nathan really embodies what being a Bulldog is all about," Stanley said. "He has really seen the highs and lows of Bulldog football during his time at Fresno State and is a great teammate and role model for younger players to look up to and model themselves after."
Continuing to work and improve every day, the Bulldogs are off to a 3-2 start in 2017 and have begun Mountain West play 2-0 for the first time since 2014.
With the 'Dogs on the road back to their winning ways, Madsen knows the Bulldogs still have a lot of work ahead of them.
"I am really excited about the direction we are going, but we are just starting this and we have a long way to go," the senior said. "We have to keep working because we have not been guaranteed anything yet."
A career that has certainly taken Madsen on many journeys on the field, in the classroom he earned his bachelor's degree last spring in criminology and is currently pursuing his master's degree in public administration.
One of only two seniors on the team who have already earned their undergraduate degrees, Madsen hopes he can be a role model to his younger teammates.
"I hope by earning my degree it shows my teammates that it is not just about football here, but it is about getting a degree," he said. "Completing your goal of getting a bachelor's degree and following through with that will help set you up for later in life since you are here at school to get an education."
Through the highs and the lows, Madsen has had many fond memories during his time as a Bulldog.
"It's hard to point out one specific memory, but I would say the thing I will remember most about my time at Fresno State is all the friends I have made and the people I have met whether it be players, people in the community, coaches, staff members or teachers. Those relationships will last for the rest of my life."
For a kid from small town in California, who could have easily gotten overlooked, Madsen has certainly taken full advantage of his chance.
"When I made that decision to come here, I could have never imagined this is what it would turn out like," he said. "There have been good times and bad, but it's a journey I wouldn't replace it with anything else. Every day, I think I am such a lucky guy to be in the position I am and to be where I am. I am happy to be on this team and be at Fresno State."
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160
Â
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateFB
Instagram:Â Fresno_State_Football
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat:Â FSAthletics
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