UPDATE: This post has been updated with comments from Liam Shanahan and MHS football Coach Sean Mahoney.
MARLBOROUGH – There’s a new Marlborough face in the New England Patriots organization.
Liam Shanahan has signed with the team, inking a deal as a rookie free agent, according to his agent Brett Tessler.
“I had a few options,” Shanahan told the Community Advocate on Sunday. “Ultimately I couldn’t really say no to the hometown team.”
For a player who grew up wearing Tom Brady jerseys, watching Patriots games on TV and attending them in-person at Gillette Stadium, the chance to now be part of the team is monumental.
“It’s awesome, obviously,” Shanahan said. “The Patriots are the organization in the NFL.”
Shanahan takes unique path to pro deal
Shanahan is a guard/center.
He graduated from Marlborough High School (MHS) in 2016 after spending three years on the Panthers’ varsity squad.
Shanahan was a captain for two of those seasons in Marlborough, winning numerous awards before he headed to Harvard University for his undergraduate years, as noted in a biography recapping his football career to date.
Shanahan also played basketball, baseball, track and field and lacrosse while in high school.
Shanahan was a three-year starter at Harvard after redshirting in his freshman season, earning All-Ivy League first team status in 2019.
He transferred to Louisiana State University (LSU) after graduating from Harvard and played 23 consecutive games for the Tigers over two seasons in graduate school.
More recently, Shanahan described preparing for his pro day scouting event last month and speaking with NFL teams about various opportunities.
‘His hard work…earned him this opportunity‘
Now headed to Foxborough, Shanahan has earned congratulations from local sports figures.
MHS Football Coach Sean Mahoney and Athletic Director Jeff Rudzinsky visited Shanahan at his home in Marlborough on Saturday night to celebrate his Patriots deal with him and his family.
“Liam epitomized the term Student Athlete,” Rudzinsky then wrote in a Tweet on Sunday morning.
“…His hard work on and off the field earned him this opportunity,” Rudzinsky continued.
Mahoney echoed similar praise in an interview.
“I’m not surprised where he is at right now,” he said. “From his freshman year on, we knew he had a lot of potential.”
Mahoney praised Shanahan’s work ethic on and off the field, noting his growth over the years.
Mahoney, who was also Shanahan’s homeroom teacher during Shanahan’s freshman year at MHS, specifically recalled being impressed with Shanahan’s grades when handing out report cards.
“When you have a combination like that, gifted with size, intelligence and leadership — he was just a great player and a great kid for us,” Mahoney said.
Shanahan said he’s been grateful to hear from former teammates and coaches directly since his deal was announced.
“It’s been awesome reconnecting with a lot of these people that I grew up with,” he said. “It feels good being back playing for my community’s team.”
Shanahan eyes mini-camp, training camp
Shanahan is currently back in Marlborough while he awaits mini-camp and training camp programs with the Patriots later this year.
He has those days circled on his calendar as he works to win a spot in the team’s regular season lineup.
“It’s awesome that it’s come full circle, that I have this opportunity in front to me,” he said. “I’m excited to get to work and take advantage of it.”
