CHATHAM, Ill. (WCIA) – The recruiting pitch could’ve written itself for North Central College when recruiting Glenwood’s Gavin Simmons.

The Cardinals are fresh their third Division Three national title in five years. Who led them to the top? Glenwood alum Luke Lehnen.

Lehnen threw for more than 12 thousand yards in college and totaled 213 career touchdowns.

Now, recent Glenwood graduate Gavin Simmons plans to play wide receiver in Naperville.

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“I’m really thrilled about the opportunity,” Simmons expressed regarding his move to North Central football. “As the current national champions, it’s a great team. Although losing Luke [Lehnen] is a challenge, we have a strong group of quarterbacks joining, and we’re ready to continue the legacy.”

Lehnen, who signed to play in the UFL in January, plans to mentor the incoming freshmen despite no longer being in the program.

“We’re planning to meet next week or the following one,” Simmons shared after wearing the Glenwood High School helmet for the last time at Saturday’s Shrine Game. “We’re going to have a discussion, where I’ll be learning from him about the playbook. We’ll take to the field to practice routes and run through some of North Central’s concepts, and he’ll definitely be a great help.”

Simmons also played basketball and baseball for the Titans.