Sandy Wilkinson

[Elmhurst University Football @ElmhurstU_FB]

Join us this Saturday, September 5th, at 12:00 PM for our home opener at Langhorst Field!

#THEBLUEJAYWAY

[Austin Wilkinson @Wilkinson2028]

I am Blessed to be named Preseason 1st Team All-State Team in IL!
@CoachSeibert43 @Football_Flyers @DarrenSunkett @wigginsmark87 @CochBG4 @tfenton314 @97RyanJones @PrepRedzoneIL @scottybscout @JPRockMO

[Austin Wilkinson @Wilkinson2028]

What’s up Coaches since June 15th is tomorrow here is my number!
(618)- 979- 0103
Number 5 punter in the country
4.5 star kicker
Number 1 kicker/punter combo in IL
Kohls Kicking All National team Punter
Kicking Coach @CoachSeibert43

@KohlsKicking @JPRockMO @kt_recruiting

[Frank Campbell III @CoachFrankC_]

Congrats to our Raising Cane’s Lifters of the Week!

• Ambrose Bentley
• Avery Boehm
• Jayden Wilkinson

Thanks Raising Cane’s for sponsoring this award!

[Elmhurst University Football @ElmhurstU_FB]

90 Days until Kickoff!

#THEBLUEJAYWAY

[Sandy Wilkinson @sandy_wilkinson]

Congrats to all and can’t wait to see what the future holds!! #EAT

[Mascoutah Athletics @MHS19_ATHLETICS]

Another special day at MHS as 7 more Seniors signed their name on the dotted line to play intercollegiate athletics! That makes 14 Class of 2026 athletes moving on! They join the 96 former Indians competing at the next level! Congrats athletes, families, and coaches. THANK YOU!

[DK🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸 @1Nicdar]

130 schools said no.
He led the losingest program in college football history to a national championship anyway.
Fernando Mendoza was a 2-star recruit from Miami.

He tried to walk on at his hometown school. They passed.
So did FIU.
So did FAU.
So did everyone else.

At 17, he was sitting in his bedroom, crying over a silent recruiting inbox—after driving to 18 camps with his dad and sending highlights to more than 100 programs.
Not one FBS offer.
His only option? Yale. No scholarship. No NFL path.

Everyone told him to be “realistic.”
“Know your place.”
“Be grateful.”
He didn’t listen.
Because Mendoza understood something most people miss:
The worst outcome isn’t failing.
It’s never getting the chance to try.

Two weeks before signing day in 2022, his phone rang.
Cal needed a body. One offer. Out of 134 schools.
He took it.
He arrived as the third-string quarterback.
Spent a year on the scout team.
Lost his first four starts.
Got sacked 41 times behind a broken offensive line.

Still got up. Every time.
Then Cal brought in a transfer instead of building around him.
So Mendoza left the only school that had ever said yes.
He transferred to Indiana—the losingest program in college football history.

People laughed.
“Career suicide.”
“Graveyard program.”
“Nobody wins there.”
One coach told him something different:
“I’m going to make you the best Fernando Mendoza possible.”
That was enough.
Mendoza wasn’t just playing for football.
His mother has battled multiple sclerosis for 18 years.

Before every snap, he thought of her.
“My mother is my why.”
Indiana went 16–0.
Beat six Top-10 teams.
Won their first Big Ten title since 1945.
Mendoza threw 41 touchdowns.
Won the Heisman—first in school history.
First Cuban-American to ever do it.

Then came the title game.
Miami. Near his hometown.
Fourth-and-4. Season on the line.
Quarterback draw.
The kid 134 schools rejected spun through defenders and dove into the end zone.

Game over.
Indiana—national champions.
The losingest program became the best team in America.
All because a 17-year-old refused to believe “no” was the end.

Rankings don’t decide your ceiling.
Gatekeepers don’t write your ending.
Being overlooked isn’t a verdict—it’s a starting point.

Sometimes all you need is one shot…
and the courage to bet on yourself when nobody else will.
Don’t quit.

Credit: Barclay Mullins

[Sandy Wilkinson @sandy_wilkinson]

Can’t wait to see you play at the next level!

[Jayden Wilkinson @Wilkinson2026]

I am excited to announce my commitment to Elmhurst University!!!#BlueJayWay @CoachHilgy1 @CoachFrankC_ @KohlsKicking @97RyanJones @CoachMadison_EU @Coach_Heffernan @CoachSeibert43 @SoWestILHSSport @GSV_STL

[EliteFootballAcademy @elitefootball]

Congratulations to all of the St Louis Metro Football Coaches Association Small School All-Metro Team Selections.
@JPRockMO
@football360show

[Austin Wilkinson @Wilkinson2028]

I had an amazing visit @RazorbackFB yesterday it was a great environment and atmosphere! Thank you @CoachSFountain and @Adam_Dulka for having me out! Can’t wait to keep building a Relationship!
@KohlsKicking @97RyanJones @JPRockMO @AllenTrieu @CoachSeibert43 @coachtfountain

[Sandy Wilkinson @sandy_wilkinson]

@aaron_bunten @CoachShiffman No kicker either!

[Greg Berge @GregBerge]

High School Athletes:

The “Good Old Days” Are Happening Right Now.

One day, you’ll look back on today and wish you could relive it.

- The team dinners.
- The early morning practices.
- The bus rides with teammate.
- The big wins and tough losses.
- The team huddles before the big game.

Don’t wait until it’s over to appreciate it.

Soak it in now.

Your future self will thank you.

[Mascoutah Athletics @MHS19_ATHLETICS]

IHSA FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RELEASE:

#10 Mascoutah @ #7 Bloomington
Saturday 11/1 - 6:00pm

Ticket and gameday info available soon.

[Mascoutah Athletics @MHS19_ATHLETICS]

Soccer begins their postseason run tonight! Kick is at 7pm at Waterloo High School as the Indians take on Carterville! Let’s Roll!

[Mascoutah Athletics @MHS19_ATHLETICS]

We know last night didn’t go as planned for our coaches and young men, but they can hold their heads high, as all the work they have put in this season is rewarded with an MVC Championship in the leagues final season! Congrats to the program!

[Jayden Wilkinson @Wilkinson2026]

Here is my week 7 highlights!!!!
Still an uncommitted 2026 looking for a home! 1/1 fg 38 yarder!

https://t.co/2QTXeE3KPP

[Mascoutah Athletics @MHS19_ATHLETICS]

The Indians win their 5th straight, get to 4-0 in the MVC! What an atmosphere it will be next week at Alumni Field as Highland comes to town forvthe last ever MVC Football game with a ton on the line!! #EAT

[Austin Wilkinson @Wilkinson2028]

I am blessed to be a national top performer of the week from last week!!!
@KohlsKicking @97RyanJones @AlthoffFootball @AustinFrazier33 @D_Madden_Punter @JPRockMO @KohlsHighlights