A prolific high school running back and track performer at Catoctin High School, Jesse Ketterman was the 1988 Frederick Post Offensive Player of the Year and a Scholar Athlete Award recipient from the National Football Foundation after rushing for 1,684 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was also a Maryland state Class 1A shot put (1988 and 1989) and discus (1989) champion and swept both events at the MVAL championships his junior and senior years. Ketterman went on to West Virginia Wesleyan, where he was Offensive MVP and an All-Conference Honorable Mention fullback in 1992.