SACO — After requiring surgery on each of his knees during his sophomore year, Thornton Academy’s Jack Webb wondered from the sidelines if he would ever be able to suit up and fulfill his dream of leading the Golden Trojans on the gridiron, and possibly play at the collegiate level.

Two years later, Webb is considered one of the premiere offensive lineman in the state, and signed his National Letter of Intent to compete for Division 1 FCS Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut in the fall of 2018.

After working his way back onto the field his junior year, Webb immediately rose to the top of the depth chart at the tackle position, and helped guide TA to back-to-back playoff berths in the Class A South.

Webb was recently named to the All-Conference first team, and was a Journal Tribune All-Star as well.

Webb is proud of his comeback, and appreciates every minute he spends competing on and off the field.

“It’s made me a lot tougher, knowing that I’ve been through (injuries). If I can battle through that I can battle through anything,” said Webb. “I always remind myself when I’m working through a hard lift, that two years ago I would have loved to do any of this. It’s good mental motivation.”

Webb, who also competes in basketball and lacrosse, was noticed for his size and athletic ability from a young age, and was quickly on TA’s radar as a child.

“He used to come to our youth camps when he was real young. For a big kid he moves so well, you see him on the basketball floor, lacrosse, you knew he had the tools. He had the athleticism and feet to move. The injuries slowed down his progress for a couple years but once he got that done he had a good two years for us,” said TA head football coach Kevin Kezal, who also feels that Webb’s past battle with injuries helped shape him into a better player.

“Any time you face that type of adversity, when you’re told that you can’t play sports for a full year, that’s tough. It’s naturally going to create more resiliency and mental toughness,” said Kezal.

Although Webb is excited to acclimate to the college game and get to know his teammates, he is also prepared for the academic side of college as well. One of the biggest factors in his decision to choose Sacred Heart was its communications program, which also includes athletic communications.

“They have a really strong communications program, specifically sports communications. One of the professors over there is an executive producer of the Dan Patrick show. I thought it was a very good career choice since it’s setting me up for the future and I get to play Division 1 football which is my dream,” said Webb.

As his final year of high school comes to a close, Webb hopes to get stronger and faster for his freshman campaign.

“Adjusting to the speed and getting in the weightroom everyday (is important). Playing three sports, you don’t get to be in the weight room as consistently. I’ve really got to buckle down and grind there,” said Webb.

Kezal also believes that working hard in the classroom and on the field will be the key to Webb’s success.

“Get the academic piece done. Football-wise it’s going to be different. You’re going to have to work hard but don’t forget what got you to that point. Do the work in the weightroom and you’ll have an opportunity to play,” said Kezal of advice he would give to Webb.

Kezal admits that it will be a challenge to fill the void left by Webb both on and off the field.

“It’s going to be hard. I don’t know if we can replace him at tackle, he had a great senior year for us,” said Kezal. “More important now is the leadership. We had to battle with a really young team this year, didn’t have a big senior group, Jack and the captains did a good job leading the group and that will be the hardest piece to replace, the leadership void.”

Webb is confident, and looks forward to making a name for himself in the Pioneers program. He will also miss the TA community, which has meant so much to him throughout the last four years.

“The coaches here have prepared me to play well at the next level and have prepared my teammates to play well at any level they achieve in life. They do a great job here,” said Webb. “This community is unreal. I remember every Saturday home game, there’s no words to describe it. It’s really special, I love it.”

— Associate Sports Editor Alex Sponseller can be reached at asponseller@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.

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