http://www.pioneerlocal.com/burrridge/sports/highschools/2024602,burr-ridge-rafferty-020210-s1.article
Rafferty commits to play for Drake University
February 2, 2010
By BILL STONE bstone@pioneerlocal.com
FOOTBALL-- Hinsdale Central senior Jason Rafferty
established himself as an all-conference linebacker with
occasional snaps at tight end.
That's all going to change now.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Rafferty will become a full-time
tight end as he plans to play at Drake University (Des
Moines, Iowa) heading into Wednesday's first day for players
to sign their national letters of intent.
Drake, an NCAA Football Championship Subdivision program,
has had six straight winning seasons. The 2009 Bulldogs
(8-3) missed out on the Pioneer Football League title with a
loss in the season finale to co-champion Butler, which
shared the title with Dayton, the other team that Rafferty
seriously considered.
"It's kind of weird because junior and senior year I mainly
played linebacker. It's going to be a new kind of role, but
I'm excited," Rafferty said. "(Drake is) on the rise and
they're going to be good the next couple of years. I'm
excited."
Rafferty is especially eager to get going. He finished out
the high school season with a left shoulder injury that
required surgery in the beginning of December. He's
finishing up his rehabilitation and just has started
running. Rafferty expects to be able to compete for a
starting job by sophomore year. His teammates include
current sophomore defensive back and Hinsdale Central
graduate Nick Chenier, who had 44 tackles (18 solos) in
eight games last season and played in all 11 games in 2008.
Rafferty plans to major in business and possibly pursue a
career in sports management.
"I want to stay involved in sports. To be a (general
manager) of something would be awesome," Rafferty said.
"They have awesome academics. I'll actually get playing time
freshman year. The coaches were awesome. All of the kids I
talked to seemed like great guys, guys I could see myself
with for four years. I'll help with whatever I can to help
the team win."
Other Hinsdale Central seniors planning to play in college
are quarterback John Whitelaw (Yale), wide receiver Alex
Kirk (Johns Hopkins) and lineman Leo Bezanis as a walk-on at
Illinois State University (Normal), according to coach Mike
DiMatteo. Lineman Jim Kallas remains undecided.
Hinsdale South players planning on playing in college
include Joe Czaja, Dane DeKing, Kevin Miller, Derrick Page,
Garrett Vanhal and Jaleel White, according to coach Alex
Bitto.
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