Mullen Gridiron Duo Sign Division I Offers

12/21/2023

by: Hank Hooper, Associate Athletic Director

December 20^th was National Signing Day for all 133 Division I football schools from across the country, and it was a proud day for thousands of high school football players and their families as dreams were finally realized. Two of Mullen’s very own were able to grasp their dreams on Wednesday of playing Division I football when they signed their names to their letters of intent. Linebacker, A J Guida, and receiver, defensive back and return specialist, Jordan Leslie, declared their intentions to their respective schools in a mid-day ceremony at Mullen High School’s Student Life Center. Smiles adorned the room in appreciation for both athletes.

Andrew (AJ) Guida signed his letter of intent to play linebacker for the Huskies of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. Considered Mullen’s most punishing defensive player, the Huskies are getting a player who flies to the football and typically gets there in a bad mood. The two-time 1^st-Team All-Conference linebacker led the Mustangs this season with 58 solo-tackles, 10.4 tackles per game, 12 tackles for losses, and 3 sacks. Teams were forced to account for AJ on every play, and with his desire to work and improve, the Huskies will be able to count on those kinds of numbers in the years to come.

On a little bit of a side note to AJ’s commitment to Northern Illinois is the fact that NIU is a member of the Mid-American Conference. For those who love to watch football, the Mid-American Conference teams with ESPN to bring Tuesday and Wednesday night football to the country starting with their conference play in late October and early November. That will allow us new 'Husky' fans the opportunity to watch AJ play in the years to come.

Mullen’s two-sport sensation, Jordan Leslie, is headed to the Ivy-League and will play football for the Big Green of Dartmouth College. The problem Dartmouth is going to have is trying to figure out where best to play the shifty and speedy Leslie. At receiver, Jordan led the Mustangs in receiving TDs with 10, total receptions with 41, in total receiving yards with 705, in receiving yards per game with 64.1, and yards per reception with 17.2. As a return specialist which includes interception returns, he led the team in punt return yards with 542, in total return yards with 946, in total all-purpose yards with 1,711, and all-purpose yards per game with 155.5. The young man is a touchdown waiting to happen as evident by his team-leading 13 scores. And, it’s prudent to note that Jordan was ranked in the top 5 nationally in return yards statistics. Perhaps the easiest solution for the Big Green is to not let him leave the field.

Congratulations to AJ, Jordan, and their families for accomplishing goals and living the dreams. Mullen is proud to call you ours. We, also, can’t wait to see you live out those dreams of greatness in the years to come. Go get ‘em, Stangs!

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