EAST GREENBUSH – He was nearly named for someone most kids today know from the title of a popular football video game.
And, given that Tyten Wedig has come to excel at football, a first name of “Madden” – after Pro Football Hall of Famer John Madden – certainly would have fit.
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His parents, though, “really liked Titan.” And, since his mother wanted the option to call him “Ty,” the family made the slight tweak to the spelling of the name, which has proven quite apropos.
“They didn’t know,” Wedig joked, “I would get this big.”
Only a junior at Columbia High, Wedig stands 6-foot-7.
He weighs 275 pounds.
And, now, the Oklahoma native who moved to East Greenbush with his family when he was in the second grade, is becoming one of Section 2 football’s top linemen and generating plenty of Division I interest.
Columbia coach Jake Preston first met Wedig at a youth football banquet.
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“He was not that coordinated then – but he was so much bigger than the rest of them,” said Preston, who is now in his fourth season leading the varsity. “I heard his name was Tyten, which I thought was incredible.”
Over the years, Wedig has grown into his body. Now in his second season with the varsity, he is a two-way starter for the Blue Devils.
“He has been awesome for us,” Preston said. “He has worked his tail off.”
Following Columbia’s Week 1 victory over Queensbury, Wedig did a game-day visit to Syracuse University. He also has future visits lined up with the University at Buffalo and Marist, plus has drawn interest from other Division I programs.
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“It has taken off for him this summer and fall. It is still very early for him in the recruiting process,” Preston said. “He went to a ton of camps and has been in contact with a ton of coaches.”
Tyten Wedig of Columbia readies to make a block during this past Saturday’s game in Amsterdam. (Stephen Weaver)
At the moment, Wedig’s attention is dialed in on helping to lead the Blue Devils to a winning 2026 season after the team finished 2-8 overall last fall. Ranked No. 21 in the state’s Class A poll, Columbia (3-0 overall, 3-0 Class A) returns to action Friday when it hosts South Glens Falls (0-3, 0-2) as part of the district’s homecoming weekend.
“That (winning) is what I am focused on right now. I want to make it into the playoffs and do some damage. I think we can go out there and show people we’re the real deal,” Wedig said.
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Wedig, who wears jersey No. 52 in honor of former Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews III, cited a number of factors that have helped him to elevate his skills as an offensive tackle and as a defensive player who splits time between tackle and end. One of the biggest helps to Wedig has been teammate Adam Burek, a senior captain who also is a two-way starting lineman for the Blue Devils.
“I could go on for hours about how much he has helped me,” Wedig said of Burek. “He has taken me under his wing. I met him in modified. He has helped me so much. I really can’t say it in words. He has helped with power, speed and how to block a guy. He has provided constant advice and he is a great leader for our team. I wouldn’t be where I am without him.”
Columbia coach Jake Preston’s team is off to a 3-0 start. (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Preston called Burek “an incredible ambassador for our program,” and credited the senior’s example for helping Wedig become “married to the weight room.” Burek said he’s enjoyed watching the strides Wedig has made.
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“From the time when I was a sophomore and he was a freshman, it was very fun to watch him grow as a player and a person,” Burek said of Wedig. “I would say he was very physically mature for his age when he was younger – but, mentally, he wasn’t there (with football). He took a very big step going into his sophomore year, starting on varsity, and an even bigger leap going into his junior year.”
An honors student who served as the varsity basketball team’s starting center this past winter, Wedig also shows great emotional intelligence on the football field. There have been times this season when opponents, unable to deal with Wedig’s size, tried to bait him into a penalty after the whistle.
Each time, the junior walked away.
“I like to let my game speak for itself. I am not going to let another kid get into my head,” Wedig said.
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“He is very good at keeping his emotions under control,” Burek said. “He is good at using his emotions at the right times, and good at being aggressive when he needs to be.”
Columbia’s Tyten Wedig of Columbia faces off Samuel Watters of Amsterdam during this past Saturday’s game in Amsterdam. (Stephen Weaver)
During the offseason, Wedig added 15 pounds of muscle to his frame through weight training. He also worked on his skills with Burek and Co., as the Blue Devils looked to turn the page from their disappointing 2025 campaign.
“I worked a lot on strength and conditioning. Coach (Tom) Libardi has helped me so much. He has me keeping track of everything. I owe a lot to him,” Wedig said. “I feel like I am 10 times the player I was last year; I wasn’t as physical and my feet were a lot slower last year. I focused on those two things the most.”
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When it comes to a potential major in college, Wedig intends to pursue either aerospace or mechanical engineering.
“He is incredibly smart. Just talking to him … you realize he is brilliant,” Preston said. “The sky is the limit for him, and I love the fact he has the academics. The biggest thing he says all the time is that there is life after football.”
Wedig said his love for football grew incredibly when he made his first varsity start last year at Union College vs. Brewster. He said the feeling that came over him during introductions convinced him he wants to pursue playing the sport in college.
“I want it more than anything in the world,” Wedig said. “I love the feeling of going out there, working as hard as I can – the feeling of being in pain – and being better than I was last week. … I like improving and looking back on how much I have grown as a person, a player and as a man.”
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Right now, though, the focus is on helping Columbia improve to 4-0 after this week’s homecoming game.
“The feeling of winning with your brothers beside you is better than anything,” Wedig said.
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This article originally published at 6-foot-7 Tyten Wedig helping to lead Columbia football’s turnaround season.
