Kevin Heywood, a senior at Pope John Paul II, has chosen the Wisconsin Badgers as the team that will help him achieve the next stage of his football career, writes Aaron Carter for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Heywood’s football journey has been a series of steps designed to help him maximize his potential. From the time he was a young athlete, his parents, coaches, and trainers have been in his corner.

The 17-year-old, 6-foot-7, 305-pound offensive lineman has caught the attention of almost every major college football program in the country, but he has decided that the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Badgers will be the team to take him to the next level.

That level being the NFL.

“I’m beyond proud,” Heywood’s stepfather, Erik Dougherty said. “We laid out a plan with ideas and thought processes for him to get to a certain point. He’s done anything and everything we’ve ever asked him.”

Dougherty said that finding the right person trainers, schools and coaches was essential for Heywood’s growth as a football player.

“Us as parents,” Doughtery said, “I feel like it would be a disservice if we didn’t give him all the opportunities…”

Read more about Kevin Heywood in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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