The final decision for Connor Mahoney, a star, rising-senior lineman for Malvern Prep's football team, came down to Missouri, Harvard and Northwestern.
And the schools are listed in that order to set up a quote from his father, Regan.
"It was kind of simple, really," Dad said. "He loved Missouri for the great football, and Harvard for the great academics. At Northwestern, he'll be able to get both. It plays football in the Big 10 and it's one of the top 10 academic schools."
Regan Mahoney said his son, who goes 6-4, 270, also received offers, or at least strong interest, from Tulane, Georgia Tech, Duke, Pitt, Rutgers and all Ivy League schools, in addition to the Final Three.
At Malvern he's a tackle and defensive end. Northwestern wants him for DT.
"It's something he hasn't played," Dad said, "but they're going to teach him and he's excited about that. They'll be graduating about eight linemen in the next 2 years. They haven't said definitely they're going to redshirt him, but if that happens he could get on the field early."
At 10:30 last night, Connor was on a wind-down trek around his Malvern neighborhood.
"This isn't easy," Dad said. "Pretty stressful, actually. It's tough when you have to tell a bunch of coaches, 'I really like your school, but I'm not coming.' ''
Regan Mahoney said Connor intends to major in finance.
- Ted Silary
