Three of John Carroll Catholic’s large football senior class celebrated Friday the next steps of their lives going out together the way they came in.
Wilky Denaud, Aidan Singleton and Austin Shevak put four years into the Ram program and after leading the team to its first state semifinal appearance in 19 years will head in separate directions for college.
Denaud, one of the country’s coveted defensive line prospects stuck with his commitment to Auburn even with the Tigers undergoing major changes to their coaching staff headlined by Hugh Freeze taking over for Bryan Harsin upon his commitment in July.
A multi-sport standout his entire John Carroll career, Denaud believes that Freeze and his staff can turn things around at Auburn and wanted to be a part of the revitalization of the program.
More:Footbspanll recruiting: John Cspanrroll 4-stspanr DL Wilky Denspanud picks Auburn
“Coach Freeze, you see what he’s done in the past how he’s turned programs around,” Denaud said. “Coach Jeremy (Garrett) and his guys he’s had, that whole group I feel like they have something there that they can turn around the program and I want to be a part it.”
In his senior season, Denaud collected 66 tackles, 16 that went for a loss and added five sacks anchoring the Rams’ defensive line.
Heading to Auburn to begin classes the second week of January, Denaud is going to miss every aspect of life at John Carroll knowing how far himself and the senior class has come in four years.
“It was a lot of fun, we did a lot and we went through a lot of ups and downs and adversity,” Denaud said. “My freshman year, we were kind of thrown into a big sea in a small boat and we all developed over the years. Coach (Mickey) Groody always would say to us, the job’s not finished and I feel like that was always the motive for us. To be able to go back to regional finals three times in a row and this year making it to the Final Four, it’s something that hadn’t been done in a long time here.”
Singleton while always shining at cornerback most of his career enjoyed more time playing wide receiver this season for the Rams and made a big difference.
Catching 22 passes for 605 yards and five touchdowns, Singleton on defense picked off three passes and will take his skills in the secondary to Pennsylvania at Lehigh feeling he can contribute immediately with all he’s learned at John Carroll as another multi-sport standout.
More:John Cspanrroll Cspantholic cornerbspanck Aidspann Singleton commits to Lehigh
“I felt like John Carroll shaped me and molded me into the man I am today,” Singleton said. “I definitely came here, I couldn’t say I was perfect at all. The coaches helped me, everybody at John Carroll did. I felt like I grew closer to God, closer to my family and everybody at John Carroll and I really can’t thank them enough.”
Shevak anchored the offensive line at center and helped pave the way for running back Tony Colebrook to rush for over 1,500 yards.
As part of a veteran offensive line that will expect to have more continue their careers at the next level with the signing period in February, Shevak couldn’t pass up the chance to team with his brother Bryce at Ave Maria next fall.
“Going to Ave Maria, it kind of feels like home already,” Shevak said. “I feel like I’m going to fit in there really great. It lets me further my faith at a Catholic college, I’ll get to go to mass once or twice a week which is amazing.”