Aidan (AJ) Mulcahy '23 Recruiting Profile

 From my HS Coach, Coach Hoffman,

As we look towards our Class of 2023 from the Du-Pec football.  One player that stands out and primed for a great Senior season is AJ Mulcahy.  AJ showed as a Junior that he can play a physical brand of football from his safety position and looked to run defenders over from his running back position.  He continues to improve his pass catching ability that only makes him a bigger weapon out of the backfield to go along with his running style.

He understands what it takes to better himself in the weight room.  If there is one thing that stands out about him is that we must run him out of there.  He works his tail off to become bigger, faster, and stronger and it’s why many of our opponents have concerns stopping him as he enters his Senior season.

Any college program would be lucky to have a player of AJ’s size and skill set in their program.  While he currently plays safety on defense, he has played multiple positions defensively throughout his career and is very comfortable being close to the line.

I have been playing football since I was seven years old.  I live in Pecatonica, IL and play football in the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference. The NUIC is considered by many to be the toughest small school conference in the state of Illinois. It is commonly called the conference of Champions.  Fifteen of the last twenty years the state champion team has come from the NUIC conference. In 2021, our program had its most successful season to date.  Our team, the Du-Pec Rivermen were undefeated and crowned 2021 Conference Champions.  Our highest, in season, achievement was defeating the defending state champions, Lena-Winslow on their field in a hard-fought contest.  We advanced second round of IHSA 3A play-offs.  We are a newer CO-OP with Durand, IL HS.  The co-op has existed for five short years.  We have all played together for years and we were able to celebrate our commitment and love for the game in 2021. 

I had a great 2021 season.  I played both offense and defense.  I play running back, some slot receiver and safety.  2021 was my first season playing safety, and I had success. At season end, I was team leader in tackles and was ranked eighth in tackles for conference. I also ranked second in total yards for the team.  In week three I had a memorable game, I rushed over 200 yards and had nine tackles against conference opponent Fulton, which was the #2 state ranked team at the time.   This game made an impression within the conference, and I was nominated and won NUIC “player of the week”. Post season, I received recognition from the conference as a First Team Defense, NUIC All-Star.  I also received Honorable Mention All-Conference recognition at running back and safety positions.

I have been in the gym six days a week.  I work out twice a day, three times a week and once a day the other threes days.  Since the 2021 season end, in November, I have gained twelve pounds.

I consider myself a diverse player.  I have played OL, safety, running back, and receiver, making positive contributions wherever I am asked to play.

I have one more year of HS football and am positioning myself to have a great year.  After the 2022 HS season as I select a college, I am looking forward to playing at the next level for a competitive program, one that will allow me to continue playing the sport I love and contribute to the team’s overall success.

AJ Mulcahy