After taking a visit to the University of Pennsylvania earlier this week, Lafayette High senior Brendan McGinty made it official Friday he would attend the school to play football.
“When I was at Penn, I got to tour the Wharton School of Business, see the campus, meet the players. I felt like it was a good fit for me,” McGinty said. “I think I would fit in well there. It feels right.”
While visiting Penn, the coaching staff offered McGinty a spot on the football team, which is the Ivy League equivalent of a football scholarship offer.
Ivy League schools cannot offer academic or athletic scholarships to athletes.
Penn recruited McGinty, who played as both quarterback and outside linebacker for the Lafayette Rams, as a tight end or outside linebacker. McGinty was told he could be used in some wildcat quarterback packages while playing at Penn, as well.
McGinty, who holds a 4.6 grade point average, said he would prefer to play tight end but added he believed he could succeed at either position.
Coach Andy Linn said it comes as no surprise academics played a big part in McGinty’s college decision.
“The Wharton School of Business was a big part of it,” Linn said. “Penn has one of the best business schools in the country.”
Proximity was a major factor in McGinty’s college decision when deciding between Penn, Dartmouth and William & Mary.
“Dartmouth is a great school, but it was a little bit too far away. William & Mary was a little too close to home. Penn’s proximity was a big factor. I also thought with Penn being in the city, it creates for a pretty unique college experience. I’m a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan, too, so I can catch some games up there.”
McGinty, who has family near Philadelphia, was instrumental in leading the Rams to the 3A state championship game before injuring his wrist against Western Albemarle in the Group 3A East championship game.
During his senior season, McGinty accounted for more than 2,000 yards of total offense, including more than 600 rushing yards.
Throughout his recruitment, McGinty has been quick to heap praise upon his coaches and teammates for reaching this point in his life.
“I don’t want to say that any of my success is all me, because I owe all my success to Coach Linn and my teammates at Lafayette,” he said. “Being in such a great football program at Lafayette prepared me to get looks at the Division I level and to play at the Division I level. If it weren’t for Lafayette High School, Coach Linn, the coaching staff and my teammates, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
