Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard’s Jacob Donnellon first local player to verbally commit to EMU football since 2008

ANN ARBOR -- Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard's Jacob Donnellon verbally committed to Eastern Michigan football Monday night, marking somewhat of a milestone for second-year coach Chris Creighton.

Donnellon is the first player out of a Washtenaw County high school to verbally commit to Eastern Michigan since Ypsilanti wide receiver Marvon Sanders in 2008.

Growing up five minutes from the Eagles’ campus, Donnellon knew all about the football program’s struggles.

“Eastern wasn’t a school I was even considering at first,” Donnellon said. “When I got to camp, I heard coach (Chris) Creighton talking about turning it around, and it just lit something inside of me. I want to help them win.”

Eastern Michigan coaches started recruiting Donnellon after seeing the lineman compete at the Sound Mind Sound Body camp in mid-June, and within two weeks he had a scholarship offer.

The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder’s decision to quickly commit was mainly because of EMU’s coaching staff.

“It was the No. 1 reason,” Donnellon said. “This is a great group with great energy. I liked that coach Creighton takes character into account. He has good morals, and he cares about having better people than just good players.”

Donnellon isn’t lacking in either department as a leader and key player for one of the area’s most successful football programs.

In two years as a starter, Donnellon has helped Gabriel Richard go 15-6 with two playoff appearances. He started at right tackle as a sophomore, and left tackle as a junior. The offense averaged just less than 30 points per game (29.4) during that span.

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Last year, Donnellon was a co-captain and made the All-Catholic League. He was also all-state in track and field this spring with a fifth-place finish in shot put.

“The coaching staff like that I played multiple sports, and there’s no question it’s helped me be a better athlete,” Donnellon said.

Donnellon is optimistic his senior year will be even more successful. The football team will have a new coach in former assistant Mike Girskis. Longtime coach Brian Lemons accepted the same position in March at Brighton.

“Hopefully, there will be some state titles” Donnellon said. “I know the sky’s the limit with our football team as long as we put in the work. We have the talent."

Michael Niziolek covers local sports for MLive Ann Arbor News. Email him at mniziole@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+