OTH First Eleven 2025: No. 3 Jaidon Van Pelt

***Carroll’s Jaidon Van Pelt pulls in a catch during last year’s game against Wayne. (Photo by Leverage Photography)***

Outside the Huddle and Blitz are counting down who they feel are the top 50 individual players in northeast Indiana heading into the 2025 season.

Our highest preseason honor, the 7th annual First Eleven profiles the top players (in the mind of Outside the Huddle) entering the fall.

No. 3: WR/DB Jaidon Van Pelt, senior, Carroll

A key aspect of being a highlight reel-type player is delivering when it is needed most. Van Pelt has done that time and again for the Chargers.

As a junior last season, Van Pelt caught at least one touchdown in every game of the season except one – the loss to Center Grove. On three different occasions, he hauled in at least two scores. And those games were some of the biggest of the year. He caught four total touchdowns in two games against Snider and erupted for nine receptions for 185 yards and three touchdowns in the regional loss to Crown Point.

In other words, Van Pelt shows out when the spotlight is at its brightest. It took awhile, but the senior has grown to 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds. He is fast, can accelerate quickly and is really adept at finding soft spots in a defense, not to mention the fact that he is electric downfield on deep balls.

For the year, Van Pelt caught 53 balls for 789 yards and 14 scores.

While Van Pelt saw some action at defensive back last year that saw him notch an interception, his role is set to be expanded this year.

The senior standout is in for a monster season for the Chargers if he can be targeted as much as last year with Jimmy Sullivan at QB.

Moore burst onto the scene as a freshmen when he averaged over 30 yards per catch at the varsity level. All he did for an encore as a sophomore was catch 39 balls for 648 yards and 10 touchdowns.

That wasn’t all. Moore picked off four passes on defense while adding 21 tackles, showcasing his true versatility when factoring in his abilities as a kick and punt returner as well.

When you watch his film, Moore jumps out as a smooth 6-foot-3 athlete who can make people miss in small spaces. He also has an extra gear when he needs to pull away from defenders.

Defensively, he plays a deep safety that almost lulls quarterbacks into a false sense of security before accelerating when the ball is in the air to play it and the receiver.

COACH’S QUOTE ON JAIDON VAN PELT: “Jaidon Van Pelt is an extremely dynamic player who excels on both sides of the ball as a receiver and as a defensive back. He has played his best in big games versus big opponents. We are very excited about his senior year as well as his future in football.”– Carroll coach Doug Dinan