Aug. 22, 2025
Ferris State football senior Jarvis Windom taking on greater leadership role In 2025
Senior center Jarvis Windom returns as a cornerstone of the Ferris State football team’s stout offensive line and as even more of a team leader for the Bulldogs on and off the field.
Windom is a 6-foot-2, 300-pound Detroit native who studied at the city's elite Cass Tech High School and helped lead the Technicians to a 9-1 record in 2020. At Ferris State, he is ready, willing and able to shoulder greater leadership responsibilities.
"Being more of a leader this year and being one of the older guys means setting a good example and helping out the younger guys," said Windom, who was one of the top offensive linemen coming out of the Detroit Public School League. "As leaders, the veterans on the team know we have to come out every day and do things the right way. I've got to come in every day prepared to give my best."
As the offensive line remains a key to the engine that drives this offense, the "Nasty Boys," as the group continues to call itself, is as committed as ever to upholding a tradition that includes a 14-1 record in 2024 en route to winning a third NCAA Division II National Championship in four seasons after a 49-14 win over Valdosta State on Dec. 21.
"We're nasty all the time and even though we lost some guys from last year, we've got some talented and hard-working guys like Ben Przytula and Dayne Arnett who got some good reps for us last year and are stepping up for us this year," Windom said, before turning his attention to his two fellow o-line veterans, twins Bob and Tim Anderson, who are back on the line. "We still have ‘TimBob.’ So, I'm pretty sure we're going to be real nasty."
Behind that line, Ferris State produced a prolific rushing offense in 2024 as the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champions led the league, averaging 240.2 yards on the ground per contest in league play. Including non-conference play, the Bulldogs rushed for 263.8 yards a game, ranking Ferris State fifth nationally.
Windom envisions the younger guys on the offensive line, who will be stepping into more consistent roles, performing well. Przytula is a 6-foot-4 sophomore from Gibraltar, while Arnett is a 6-foot-5, 305-pound junior from Grand Haven.
"I'm excited for the young guys. I remember when I was one of those young guys and I got my opportunity. That was exciting for me," he said. "I see the energy in them. They're ready to get out and ready to be nasty along with us, just like we were last year."
The young guys and fellow veterans benefit from having an experienced center in the Ferris State offense. As a center, Windom has become a master of his craft handling a challenging position on the gridiron.
"The key to being a good center is you have to have great feet and hands, and you also have to communicate well with the entire offense," he said.
Head coach Tony Annese likes the leadership he sees from the offensive line.
"Jarv, Tim and Bob have played a lot for us and we're excited that they're back with us from a leadership standpoint," he said about the experienced anchors of the offensive line.
Windom is thrilled to be back and appreciates the hunger running strong throughout the team this preseason.
"We know what our culture is here. Everybody loves each other, and when you have that it's a great thing," he said.
While Windom excels on the field, the Television and Digital Media Production major knows he has to think of the big picture, what he'll be doing in his career once football is done.
"I really want to be a freelancer, but I'm excited to know how to be successful in studios while I'm working the camera, audio, lighting or whatever is needed," said Windom, who will graduate in 2026.