Notre Dame-bound Mike McGlinchey is everywhere

PHILADELPHIA - It's hard to miss Mike McGlinchey. Other than roaming the football field at 6-foot-9 and 275 pounds, the Notre Dame-bound senior from William Penn Charter (Philadelphia) carries an omnipresent dynamic.

He's been quite literally everywhere this season.

He's played center, both tackle positions, tight end, lined up at fullback, in the slot as a wide receiver and even played quarterback, throwing a pass for the Quakers. The only position he hasn't played on offense is guard.

Defensively, he's been a nose guard, tackle, defensive end and been a stand-up linebacker.

McGlinchey, the first cousin of Atlanta Falcons' star quarterback Matt Ryan, is projected to play left offensive tackle at Notre Dame. He's also the Quakers' long snapper, and it may be something he'll be asked to do at Notre Dame.

He began the season wearing No. 74, a lineman's number. He now wears No. 44, so he can continue playing a variety of positions and tormenting opposing teams.

At tight end, he's caught seven passes for 145 yards. He's been teased by the thought of playing tight end at Notre Dame, but he's resigned himself to the fact that the Irish like him at left tackle.

"In college, I'm obviously going to do what the coaches tell me to do," said McGlinchey, the oldest of six and whose mother, Janet, is the sister of Ryan's mother Bernie. "If they want me to play 10 different positions, that's what I'll do. I'm a football player, and it's what it should be. Playing different positions has given me the opportunities to do different things.

"It's been a lot of fun. It is like you're playing in your backyard and just playing football. The coaches want to move me around, and it gives the other team something to think about it. We've changed things up and it helped us against a great team like Malvern Prep."

What makes McGlinchey unique is his amazing footwork, especially for someone his size. It's what enables him to be so effective wherever he is.

"I know Michael and I know his work ethic, Michael will work and fight to make himself better," Penn Charter coach Jeff Humble said. "Michael is so good now, and he has a huge upside. He's 6-9, 275 and when he gets to Notre Dame, he'll be 320 and he's still going to move really well at that size. You watch him play basketball, that's where you'll see his athleticism. But he has the intangibles to succeed at the next level."

It's been a trying year for Penn Charter, where Ryan also attended. McGlinchey is a stalwart on a young team, going against senior-laden Inter-Academic League programs like Malvern Prep (Malvern), Haverford School (Haverford) and this year, surprisingly, undefeated Episcopal Academy (Newtown Square).

The Quakers are 3-4 overall and winless in the Inter-Ac.

Still, McGlinchey plays with great energy and a high motor. In a 27-6 loss to Haverford School on October 26, there was one sequence when McGlinchey lined up at nose guard and wiped out the center, quarterback and tailback collapsing on all three in stuffing a run.

There is an intense edge to him. A humble, gentle giant off the field, McGlinchey carries a controlled, nasty streak on it.

"As long as he harnesses that in the right way, and he's 6-9 and everyone targets him — they keep their eyes on him," Humble said. "Here's an interesting point about Michael. Against Haverford, our quarterback threw it to him on a drag route, and Michael got whacked and almost made the catch. He came over to the sideline and told me ‘Coach, I should have caught that ball,' a pass really most people wouldn't catch anyway. That's the kind of player he is. He doesn't want to come out of games, regardless of the score. He loves playing football."

McGlinchey has a lot of football ahead of him. Penn Charter is winding down its season, then there is Notre Dame, and with his fine blend of size, determination and work ethic, who knows, maybe one day he'll join his cousin.

For now, he harbors one immediate goal. He's only scored one touchdown ever-scooping a fumble recovery and returning it for a touchdown earlier this season. Before his high school career is over, he'd like to score an offensive touchdown. And Humble may honor his star's wish.

"I had a feeling going into this year that I would be used in a lot of different ways, and most important, it gives us a chance to win," McGlinchey said. "This whole season has been pretty cool, and it's going to be a great memory. I'm playing football and having fun. But I can't see myself in the NFL catching touchdown passes from Matt."

Maybe not catching touchdown passes, just making sure his cousin's blindside is well protected.