Western’s Aidan Vaughan heading to Wisconsin
Walled Lake Western senior football standout Aidan Vaughan changed schools and then changed positions this week.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound high school hybrid committed to play outside linebacker at the University of Wisconsin last week, after recently de-committed from the Air Force Academy.
Vaughan led Oakland County in tackles in 2021, racking up 136 and 5 sacks while playing a “viper” spot on defense. He also played running back and wide receiver on offense, amassing 10 touchdowns on the season for a Western club that finished 7-4 and fell to Waterford Mott in the second round of the playoffs.
“Aidan can do it all and make it look so easy,” Western head coach Kory Cioroch said. “He tackles, covers and pressures the quarterback. His measurables are off the chart and so are his intangibles. He’s unselfish and the ultimate team player.”
Allen Trieu, Midwest Scouting Director at 24/7 Sports, loves the connection between Vaughan and the Badgers.
“The natural athleticism mixed with the background of playing so many other positions gives him the tools needed to be an impact coverage linebacker at the next level,” Trieu said. “He’s aggressive, closes fast on his tackles and takes smart angles going after the ball carrier. I think its a great recruiting fit for Aidan to be heading to Madison.”
Vaughan committed to Air Force right before the start of the ’21 season. Because he was hurt for most of his junior campaign, the power conference programs were slow to take notice. That changed midway through the fall and offers began flooding in.
Wisconsin offered in October. He visited the Madison campus last weekend. Florida State, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Colorado, Louisville and Syracuse all offered scholarships to Vaughan since September.
Preferable decision in the pocket
With a chance to go play quarterback in the Ivy League, Novi Detroit Catholic Central senior signal caller Declan Byle opted to accept a preferred walk-on slot in the Big Ten at the University of Michigan. Byle was a three-year starter under center for Catholic Central, winning a CHSL title as a junior in 2020. Yale offered the rocket-armed 6-foot-2 Byle back in the spring. Catholic Central concluded the ’21 campaign 8-3.
Tweet of the Week
“Fought to the end. I love this team. No. 6 out,” — South Lyon star senior wide receiver Quinn Fracassi following the Lions bowing in the Division 2 state semifinals to Traverse City Central.