Perhaps most impressive was the rapidity with which Gedeon was able to earn his teammates’ admiration.
The linebacker barely played at all as a freshman and sophomore, as a number of injuries led to his recording just nine total tackles in 2008 and 2009 combined. But during those years, his coaches saw a determination and work ethic that they rewarded with a starting spot when Gedeon arrived in Cambridge for his junior season.
And the linebacker in turn paid back his coaches for that choice, establishing himself as one of the stars of the defense in a breakout year. He finished fourth on the team with 49 tackles—including a career-high 17 (with 1.5 sacks) against Yale—and ranked second on the squad with two interceptions, despite playing in just eight games.
“He’s just one of those guys that’s relentless in his pursuit of excellence, both on and off the field,” Murphy says. “That’s something you can’t coach—either you have it or you don’t.”
After that performance in 2010, Gedeon’s teammates knew he was the best man to lead them in 2011.
“It was really special,” Gedeon says of being named captain. “To be able to represent this group of men that has so many leaders and that is such close friends and has been through so much together, it was an honor.”
This season, Murphy couldn’t be more pleased with the job his middle linebacker has done leading the coach’s sixth Ivy League championship squad.
“We’ve had a lot of great captains here, but I don’t know if we’ve ever had a better captain than Alex Gedeon,” Murphy says. “He is the consummate student-athlete. He is an incredible leader, [he’s] humble, selfless, and a great player, one of the best linebackers in the country.”
Gedeon, for his part, has greatly enjoyed his time as captain.
“It’s probably been the best experience of my life,” he says.
Next year, the senior has already accepted a position at the Chicago branch of Bain Capital, a private-equity firm where he will work alongside classmate and Crimson cornerback Matthew Hanson.
“As I’ve moved through college, my interest in business and how to drive growth in businesses has grown,” Gedeon explains. “I think the work is going to be challenging and interesting.”
His coach has no doubt that Gedeon will succeed in his new endeavor, just as he did when he took on punting last year.
“He’s one of those guys that’s very goal-oriented,” Murphy says. “When he puts his mind to something, he’s going to do it.”
One thing’s for sure: at Harvard, Gedeon has already proven to be an asset with quite the return on investment.
—Staff writer Scott A. Sherman can be reached at ssherman13@college.harvard.edu.