Jason Berryman is associated with several numbers. One hundred and ten: The number of tackles he had as a Freshman All-American. Two hundred and fifty-eight: The number of long, cold days he spent in harsh reality behind bars.

Three: A third chance to redeem his scarred name.

Say what you will about the young man, he made a mistake — a life-altering mistake. He was a 19-year old kid coming off one of the best freshman years in Cyclone football history. As the 2003 team MVP, he was one reason ISU fans were optimistic despite the 2-10 record.

Maybe his ego became too inflated, which led to trouble.

First, his fist met a car window; critics said it was just his fiery passion that caused the damage, no need to worry. Then his fist met a fellow student and stole cash and a cell phone.

It was time for concern.

Aug. 4, 2004, the date he was arrested, will forever taint Berryman’s future. Thanksgiving, Christmas, the Independence Bowl, his 20th birthday and Easter all passed while he was incarcerated. Maybe it was the judge making a statement, or maybe the sentence fit the crime.

Today he is a free man; well, partially free. He still faces the obstacle of being re-admitted to Iowa State, and another hurdle of being placed back on the football team. ISU football coach Dan McCarney becomes the latest judge in Berryman’s world. It is by no means an easy decision.

Tell the kid he can rejoin the team and put your own head on the line for those who don’t want to welcome a convicted felon. Or, reject Berryman’s request and risk losing a once-promising young man to the ills of society or another football program.

McCarney has seen the kid’s devotion and admired his desire. It’s this type of drive that turns a good football player into an All-American. Berryman has been called a thug, a menace to society; critics say McCarney is only debating the issue because Berryman would add to the win column. If that’s the case, why were Tyease Thompson, Jerry Gair and Nick Davidson released from the program this spring? Gair, a defensive back, was probably of greater priority to a team with no depth in the secondary.

Maybe McCarney recognizes the yearning for success Berryman showed as a freshman, the never-say-die motor that took him from an undersized lineman to a guy who led all D-1 freshman defensive linemen in tackles. Underneath the icy stare and bubbling intensity, you will discover a soft-spoken kid with something to prove — not a habitual convict.

Re-admitting Berryman would be the wisest move the ISU administration and McCarney could make.

Two months and two mistakes changed his life. Yet, he still has three years of eligibility to reform his damaged reputation.

What other place would be better to earn that reputation back than in front of 45,000 forgiving patrons at Jack Trice Stadium?