Fairview QB Aidan Atkinson commits to Northwestern
Fairview’s Aidan Atkinson, the Knights’ star junior quarterback, has committed to Northwestern.
Atkinson informed CHSAANow.com of his decision on Sunday afternoon, and also posted his commitment on Twitter.
“Northwestern just has everything you could possibly want in a school,” Atkinson said. “Starting with the education and degree you’re getting, it’ll open up so many doors and create opportunities that going to another school won’t create. Their success as a football program, 8 of the past 10 years going to a bowl game and just as of last night winning the Big Ten west. Being only 25-30 minutes away from Chicago, a top 5 U.S city is something a lot of schools don’t have.
“Coach Fitz is someone who will motivate any player and get his dudes to run through a brick wall for him. Finally Evanston felt like home. It was something different that I can’t describe but knew it when I was there for the Michigan game. I was absolutey worried about finding the right school and fit, but after that Michigan game I knew Northwestern was the right place.”
In his second season as the starter, Atkinson set the single-season passing touchdown record, and also broke the 11-man football record for passing yards in a game.
Atkinson likely would have broken the single-season passing yardage record, as well, but he hurt his thumb in Fairview’s final regular season game, and missed their two playoff games as a result.
Only a junior, Atkinson will likely climb up the career record book during his senior season next fall.
Atkinson also had offers from Colorado, Colorado State, Ole Miss, Penn State, South Carolina, Boise State, Nevada, and Akron.
“Really happy now to know where I’ll be going and feeling extremely confident in my decision,” Atkinson said. “Looking forward to concentrating getting my thumb back to 100 percent and preparing for my senior season.”
