Malvern's Mahoney commits to Miami
The lineman said his older brother Connor, who plays defensive tackle at Northwestern, helped in the recruiting process.
HAYDEN MAHONEY had a real-life crib sheet to help him through the sometimes-harrowing process of college-football recruiting.
So, when Malvern Prep's 6-5, 270-pound junior lineman committed to the University of Miami on Saturday, he simply followed some family advice.
"My brother went through this process and gave me advice on how you have to really connect with your position coach and you have to buy into what they're doing. And I really did," Hayden said via phone from a Florida airport yesterday afternoon just before his flight back to the family's Malvern home.
Connor Mahoney, a two-time Daily News All-City first-teamer (2010, offensive lineman; 2011, defensive lineman), is now a defensive tackle at Northwestern. So, the redshirt sophomore schooled his little brother on the importance of building strong relationships with people you interact with every day.
"He said ultimately it's my decision to make, but he gave me advice on how and what to do, when I should commit, and who I should [make sure] I connect with," Hayden said.
Mahoney, who plays offensive/defensive lineman for the Friars, was on an unofficial visit when he committed. The Hurricanes are interested in him as an offensive lineman.
Mahoney said he bonded with Miami assistant Art Kehoe, a Conshohocken native and the Hurricanes' offensive-line coach for the past four seasons.
"I loved coach Kehoe," Mahoney said. "He's a great guy, knows what he's doing and that pretty much sold me."
Mahoney, whose dad, Regan, was a linebacker at West Chester, received offers from Boston College, Akron, Villanova, Elon and Old Dominion, and said a few more trips were planned.
"But now I know what the best school is for me," he said.
"I love the tradition of a winning school," Mahoney said. "That's what I'm looking for. [Miami] is a great team and a great family atmosphere and they're [committed] to winning. I'm excited to go to Miami and I'm ready to win."