Football: Malvern's Mahoney pledges to Hurricanes

Malvern Prep's Hayden Mahoney, a junior offensive lineman, committed  to play football for the University of Miami Saturday afternoon while on an unofficial visit to the school.

The 6-foot-5, 280-pound tackle arrived Friday in Coral Gables and spent about 20 minutes chatting with Hurricanes coach Al Golden.

"He's so passionate about what he does," Mahoney said. "He was talking about wanting to win a national championship. I really bought into it."

The 17-year-old, who doubles as a defensive end for the Friars, also had scholarship offers from Akron, Boston College, Elon, Old Dominion, and Villanova. Connecticut, Northwestern, and Virginia were likewise interested.

"I talked it over Friday night with my mom [Teri]," Mahoney said. "We both were really impressed with what we saw, so I didn't think there was any reason to hold off on my decision."

Also important, Mahoney said, was the strong relationship he has formed with Hurricanes offensive coordinator Art Kehoe. Kehoe, a Conshohocken native, is in his fourth season on Golden's staff and his 30th overall at Miami.

Mahoney's brother, Connor, starred at Malvern Prep and is now a sophomore defensive lineman at Northwestern. The 6-4, 260-pounder was an Inquirer first-team all-Southeastern Pennsylvania selection as a senior with the Friars.

"I talked things over with Connor," Hayden Mahoney said. "He told me that, ultimately, it was my decision to make."

As a result of his commitment to the Hurricanes, Hayden Mahoney said he has nixed plans for upcoming visits to Connecticut and Virginia.