Tyrone three-sport senior Owen Oakes committed to Grove City College this week to continue his athletic and academic career at the collegiate level.

Oakes has played football, basketball, and baseball his whole life; he succeeded on the diamond as a three-year varsity starter and was named all-conference his junior season, and has been a consistent contributor on the varsity basketball team. However, football has always had a special place in his heart.

The Grove City College Wolverines are a Division 3 powerhouse, making the DIII playoffs three consecutive years. Grove City competes in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference, also known as the PAC. Last season, they posted an 8-3 record, losing in the first round of the D3 playoffs. Grove City is led by Head Coach Andrew DiDonato, the 2018 and 2023 Presidents’ Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

Oakes chose Grove City over multiple other roster offer spots, which included Washington & Jefferson, Juniata, Westminster, and Millersville.

“I love the school and feel like it’s the best school for me to get a good education, see the field early in my career, and have great job opportunities following college,” Oakes said when asked why he committed to Grove City College.

Oakes plans to major in business and marketing.

When asked about Oakes’s high school career and future, former Tyrone Head Coach John Franco had nothing but compliments.

“Owen Oakes had an excellent three-year career as a starting linebacker and offensive tackle. Owen overcame a serious ankle injury as a junior and worked his way back to play at the end of the year, helping us reach the district championship game. As a senior, although quiet, he was an outstanding leader through his hard work and dedication. I have no doubt he will be an excellent player for Grove City at the college level.”

Coach John Gressler, Oakes’s offensive line coach and mentor at TAHS, praised Oakes for his leadership and talent.

“Owen is the ultimate team player. He was a fullback going into his sophomore season, but I needed linemen, and he moved to guard and also took snaps at center. The plan was to have him learn the position and be ready to start his junior year. In football, plans never work out due to injuries. Owen moved to tackle his sophomore year for several games and did exceptionally well for a first-time lineman, and was a veteran starter his junior year. Owen will succeed at Grove City because he will play whatever position he is asked to play.”

Owen’s high school career started slowly, seeing most of his action on special teams and rotating in at linebacker his sophomore year. Later in the year, after an injury that shook up the Tyrone offensive line, Oakes was thrown into the left tackle position at halftime of week 10. That game left a strong, lasting impression that would follow him throughout his high school career.

In Oakes’ junior season, he established a starting role on both sides of the ball. Oakes was performing above expectations until an injury in week 2. Oakes snapped his ankle, and nobody thought a return was possible until Owen did the unexpected. In week nine, after rehabbing hard, Oakes was cleared to return to play. Despite immense pain and swelling, Owen fought through it all and helped lead his team to their first district championship appearance in five years.

Going into his senior season, Oakes knew he had what it took to play collegiate football, but the injury kept him from showing his full potential to college recruiters. He knew he had to give it his all in his senior season to get recognition. After working hard, lifting, running, and being named captain, it came time to prove what he had.

Oakes finished his senior season fifth on the team in tackles with 51, 3.5 TFLs, a sack, and 3 interceptions. It would be an understatement to say that Owen proved that he is a collegiate-level athlete. When it came time to make a highlight tape and send it to coaches, the calls came rolling in as several programs showed interest.

“We wish Owen the best of luck in his next chapter of life, and are beyond proud of him and what he has and will accomplish,” said Oakes’s teammate and fellow senior, John Stanton.