Niko Madison is preparing for a breakout year on the football field at Pacific Lutheran University.

Madison, a 2011 Tahoma High graduate, was a workhorse for the Bears football program particularly his senior season but has worked his way up the depth chart at PLU. This fall he will share starting duties carrying the ball with Peninsula High graduate Brandon James who will be a senior.

Coming from Tahoma, PLU was a good choice for Madison, both for football and academics. He was drawn in by the tradition of success developed by legendary coach Frosty Westering.

Head coach Scott Westering told Madison PLU was a family-oriented program, the same kind of vibe the Tahoma football program has under long time coach Tony Davis.

“On the academic side, it’s a great school, they’re really reputable,” Madison said. “And they gave me a really good financial aid package.”

Jud Keim, assistant head coach at PLU, had nothing but praise for Madison.

“He’s a very quick, explosive athlete,” Keim said. “He’s pretty special, (a) tough kid, hard nosed.”

Madison played in eight games as a freshman but had some health issues last year. He had surgery in the spring to repair the ligament in his left thumb, which he injured in a game in high school. This summer he plans to focus not just on the preparation program handed to him by the PLU coaching staff but through work with his former high school running back coach so he is ready to make an impact for the Lutes on the gridiron.

Keim knows Madison has the potential for great things. As a senior at Tahoma he rushed for more than 1,000 yards and averaged more than seven yards per carry.

“He’s got a little shake and bake to him,” Keim said. “He’s got great speed, great burst. He’s solid, very aggressive in protection, he’s kind of an all-around running back.”

A competitive player who goes from goofy off the field to fiery and intense on it, Keim said Madison fits in well with the Lutes’ balanced offense which features a solid passing game, great offensive line protection and a pair of returning running backs who can carry the rock.

“The toughest thing to defend is balance,” Keim said. “(Madison) understands that we have a well-rounded offensive machine. He’s a big part of that. He’s a true running back. He wants the ball every possession, every down. You like that kind of attitude.”

Keim said Madison has handled the challenge of losing his best friend, Kevin Langdahl, well — in fact the coach believes it has inspired the player.

“He’s had some adversity in his life,” Keim said. “How he’s handled that is first class.”

Madison said when Langdahl died in a car accident freshman year at PLU, he struggled with the loss of his closest friend, someone he shared so much with since he was 6 years old.

“On the day of his funeral I had a game,” Madison said. “I was at the funeral and I was broken down. I was looking at my texts (from the day before) and he told me he was going to be (at the game), so, I felt like I should be there. I ended up going to the game and had an awesome game.”

In fact, Madison carried the ball it seemed on every play to help drive the Lutes down the field to score. There were times he would stumble while running the ball but somehow he would keep going, break through tackles, as if his best friend was pushing him.

He credits what he learned at Tahoma, especially playing for Davis, for helping him get through the stress of his first year of college and the loss of his best friend.

“Tahoma is pretty reputable for having good academics,” Madison said. “They taught me really how to pay attention in school and how to strive for excellence. For football, Tony Davis, he makes you have a good work ethic. He’s a good instructor. He kept all of us structured and focused. It prepared me for college in terms of good work ethic and not giving up. If you’re not dedicated, you won’t make it, and that’s something I learned.”

He also learned how to stay calm under pressure, particularly in high school, which helps him go from cracking jokes to focusing on football.

“For me, the fun is coming from the pressure because when you do well under pressure and then when you accomplish something you feel good about it,” Madison said. “I’m pretty intense in football. I’m a really competitive person.”

As his junior season at PLU approaches, Madison said, he’s pondered his goals for football.

In the meantime, he’s chosen to earn a business degree with a focus on management and human resources because it provides him with the most opportunities after college if football isn’t in his future.

“I love the game, being out there is the best thing ever,” Madison said. “I just want to out there and play my best. Ultimately I think if I do my best for myself and I’m working as hard as I can it’s going to bring out the best in the team.”

This season could be Madison’s break out year for PLU. He’s learned the system, he’s worked hard and he is ready.

“Patience is the key,” Madison said.

Keim said that Madison’s skill set and abilities will certainly lead to an expanded role in the offense as well as a leader.

“He’s all business but he’s humble about it,” Keim said. “He has a fire and intensity that few on our team have.”