Naperville Central senior defensive end Paul Peradotti would rather be seen than heard.
That was fine last season, when Peradotti and safety Gavin Ellison were the only non-senior starters on a terrific defense that led the Redhawks to the Class 8A state semifinals.
But staying silent won’t cut it anymore. The versatile 6-foot-2, 195-pound Peradotti is expected to be the leader of an inexperienced team. That includes speaking up on and off the field.
“It’s been really hard, actually,” he said. “Last year, we had six guys that were pulled up their sophomore year. They were stone-cold killers, especially on defense. We had nine seniors and me and Gavin, and I wasn’t really a vocal leader.”
Peradotti has become a leader, and he’s working on the vocal part.
“I try to lead by example, but there’s a certain point where you have to lead vocally, and I think I struggle in that a lot,” he said. “So I think the toughest part has been vocally leading my team.”
That’s understandable. Not everyone is comfortable being a public speaker.
“He’s growing into it,” Naperville Central coach Mike Ulreich said. “It’s not easy for a young kid to stand in front of his team and lead.
“On Thursdays, the captains have to speak to the team, and he’s growing into it quite a bit. He’s just an unbelievable kid.”
Ellison had similar sentiments following the Redhawks’ 28-14 nonconference loss at Hinsdale Central on Friday.
“Paul has been great,” Ellison said. “He’s a great leader. He was the captain this week, really did his job.”
That’s important because the Redhawks need a strong example of leadership. What makes Peradotti excel?
“I think it’s his effort, his hard work,” Ellison said. “He has a great attitude, is always positive and always pushing others.”
Peradotti, who also wrestles and won a Class 3A regional title at 190 pounds in February, is constantly pushing around opponents. Through two games, he has 18 tackles, including one for loss, plus one hurry and one pass breakup.
Much of that production has come at defensive end. But Ulreich also utilized him at linebacker against Hinsdale Central.
“We had some injuries this week, we had some guys get in trouble this week and we had to shuffle some people around,” Ulreich said. “Paul is a guy who luckily had played that position last year that can move around a little bit. He’s a special one.”
A combination of strength and speed allows Peradotti to play both positions with aplomb.
“He is so strong,” Ulreich said. “If you were to watch some of the snaps he put together last week, he was wrecking the game inside.
“He bench-pressed 225 18 times this summer, and he’s a 20 mph fly-and-10 guy. So he’s explosive and strong, so the closer to the ball we can put him, the better.”
Peradotti may not have a preference between the two positions.
“I can’t really tell which one I like more,” he said. “End, I think, is simpler for me, and for me that’s a little better. I’m not the smartest guy.
“But being outside linebacker, you drop into coverage, and it’s exciting. You get to be where the action is.”
So maybe the answer is to switch back and forth, like Peradotti did against Hinsdale Central.
“I was in at end and in at linebacker, so it was a good feeling,” he said. “I kind of like both the same.”
Peradotti doesn’t like speaking his mind as much as he likes playing, but he’s working at it. Last season, seniors like Troy Kashul, Jake Stanish, Gavin Wade, and Aaron and Daniel Nussbaum were great role models for him.
“I was really close with them,” Peradotti said. “I wrestled with a couple of those guys. They really wanted me to be the team leader. I’m just trying to live up to the legacy that they brought to the school.”
Peradotti understands the saying “uneasy lies the head that wears a crown,” but he knows being a leader is an honor.
“Yes, and I’m very grateful that I have this opportunity,” he said. “There’s 70 guys on this team, and you get two or three captains a week.
“I’m very honored and grateful to be a captain for the second week in a row.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.