WASHINGTON — There may not be a high school more excited for the start of the NFL Draft than Gonzaga College High School in Washington D.C., where two of its alumni are expected to hear their names called during the first round Thursday night.
The pair are quarterback Caleb Williams and offensive lineman Olu Fashanu. Williams is expected to be selected first overall by the Chicago Bears.
Williams and Fashanu started their decorated football careers in Northwest D.C. Gonzaga Athletic Director Terry Kernan said Fashanu came to high school without any football experience.
"He came in as a basketball player. Some of the football coaches saw him, some of the football players saw him and kind of recruited him to come play football," said Kernan. "Caleb came in, he was polished; he was ready to go. He took the reins as a freshman, won us a championship as a sophomore and has really been in the spotlight since then."
That conference championship win, and the final play, stick out to Gonzaga College High School alums the most.
“He dropped back, threw about a 60-yard Hail Mary pass to win the game as time expired," said Kernan.
“The Hail Mary pass in 2018 that won us a championship at Catholic University was the single coolest sporting event I’ve ever witnessed in my life," said Devon Leary, the Director of Community, Outreach & Culture at Gonzaga.
Williams made the throw and left tackle Fashanu threw a key block. Now, these former teammates are potential first round draft picks.
“I just feel so proud of them," said Leary. "I think that everyone here at Gonzaga, we feel a part of their story. We’re honored to be a part of their journey.”
Fashanu will learn his NFL fate locally at a draft party with family. Williams will be at the draft in Detroit.
Gonzaga College High School students of past, present and future will be watching.
"We know they have love for Gonzaga, so it’s going to show all these guys coming up kind of the right way to do things. Giving them something to aspire to and that’s invaluable for us," said Gonzaga Assistant Football Coach, Conrad Singh.
“It’s so cool and special to see my students and fellow alum, now representing Gonzaga and Washington DC on the national stage," said Leary.