Jenson Leads With Magnetic Personality

Article reprinted courtesy of Fargo Forum and reporter Eric Peterson. Picture courtesy of Fargo Forum photographer Alyssa Goelzer.

MOORHEAD — Concordia Cobbers linebacker Noah Jenson has a magnetic personality and a hairstyle to match his charisma.

Jenson is sporting a mullet that he said he started to cultivate last season. He's taken the hairdo to another level this fall.

"I kind of keep the sides trimmed and let it get messy up top and in the back and I got it permed recently," Jenson said with a laugh. "It's rocking."

"I think a lot of guys love it," added Cobbers senior linebacker Ty Moser. "There's something about a mullet that people can't help but like. He's really rocking it well."

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Jenson leads the Cobbers in tackles with 29 through three games. Concordia next plays at 1 p.m. Saturday at rival St. John's in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football at Clemens Stadium.

The Cobbers (2-1, 0-1 MIAC) are looking to rebound from a home loss against Gustavus last weekend in their conference opener. Jenson is expected to be an important figure for Concordia against No. 6-ranked St. John's.

"He's truly an incredible leader," Cobbers head coach Terry Horan said. "He's got really good instincts, tough as nails. … His smile lights up a room. I love the way he plays, he's gritty, he's tough. We're fortunate he's wearing maroon and gold."

Jenson played football at North Dakota State College of Science before transferring to the Cobbers to continue his college career. From Broomfield, Colo., Jenson said NDSCS head coach Eric Issendorf was part of the reason Jenson took a look at Concordia. Issendorf was an assistant coach for the Cobbers before he became the head coach at NDSCS, a junior college program in Wahpeton, N.D.

"After the visit, I was sold," Jenson said of Concordia. "I knew that was the place I wanted to be."

Jenson had 14 tackles in last weekend's 23-6 loss against Gustavus at Jake Christiansen Stadium. He also had 10 tackles in a season-opening victory on Sept. 1 at Valley City State. His value, however, goes beyond statistics.

"He's a natural born leader," said Moser, from Perham, Minn. "Some people just have a way about themselves of leading people and that's definitely him. He commands respect from people."

Jenson — whose father John is from Wahpeton — was a multiple-sport athlete at Broomfield High School, including football, wrestling, baseball and track and field.

"I think I knew I was best at football," Jenson said. "It's been my passion since I was a little kid."

Jenson is one of multiple Concordia players who are growing mullets this season. Moser said senior running back Peyton Mortenson also has a notable mullet.

Horan is a fan of Jenson's hairstyle.

"The mullet is so him. It's something else to make you smile about the kid," Horan said. "His mullet is a beauty."

Moser said Jenson's hairstyle makes him approachable and also fits his positive personality.

"He's really accepted the role of 'Mullet Man' and I think it's awesome. I love it," Moser said. "The way the mullet kind of works for him is it becomes a talking point and he'll be the first guy to engage with somebody who has something to say about it. It's got a comedic value to it for sure, but it just fits him really well. … He showed up and got a little fluff to the back of it, too. He's really committed all the way to the mullet."

Jenson has 106 tackles in his 13 career games with the Cobbers, averaging 8.2 tackles per game.

"As magnetic and positive as he is off the field, I think those traits only get amplified when he steps on the field," Moser said. "When the going gets tough, people rally around Noah because they know he's going to lead them."

Those qualities could get amplified Saturday against St. John's.

"It's a great opportunity and a great week for us," said Jenson, in his final season with the Cobbers. "This is the last ride, this is the last dance."