Marian's Cwynar named ‘Mr. Football'

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Sean Cwynar was blown away Saturday night, which is a rare sight, considering he stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 285 pounds.

The Marian Central senior lineman watched some of the IHSA state football championships and enjoyed the Class 8A game from a skybox at the University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium. Then, at halftime, Cwynar joined Montini’s Garrett Goebel and Chicago Mount Carmel’s Steve Filer as the three nominees for the IHSA-FOXHILITESChicago.com Mr. Football award.

Cwynar, who started at offensive tackle and defensive end, was named the winner of the award, given for the first time.

“I wasn’t expecting to win it,” Cwynar said. “It was cool. It’s a real big trophy. Those guys were two real good players. Just to be nominated as one of top three players, when you look at all the all-state players around the state, 20 in each class, was an honor. To be Player of the Year is just awesome.”

The award was voted on by a statewide panel of sports journalists assembled by Corey McPherrin, sports anchor of FOX Chicago.

Cwynar, a two-time Northwest Herald All-Area first-team selection, will play defensive end at Notre Dame. He will graduate in December from Marian and enroll for the spring semester at Notre Dame, before he has even signed his national letter of intent.

Goebel has committed to Ohio State, and Filer will join Cwynar in South Bend, Ind.

“I’m excited about [enrolling early],” said Cwynar, who ranks in the top 30 of his senior class. “It was cool to get the opportunity to do that. I knew last summer [I could do it], but I had to take a religion and a Spanish class to get enough credits. I just kept it quiet, I didn’t want [graduating early] to interfere with the season.”

Cwynar was a two-way starter on Marian’s Class 5A state runner-up team in 2006 and again this season, when the Hurricanes reached the 5A semifinals. By enrolling early, Cwynar can join the Fighting Irish for spring practices. First, he will play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 6 in San Antonio.

“[Enrolling early] will give me a lot better chance to have some early playing time,” Cwynar said. “I’ll have a whole extra semester to work on everything.”