'I made sure I could be counted on': Determined linebacker Owen Fitzgerald of Auburn is making difference at Assumption

Owen Fitzgerald did not play at all last year as a freshman at Assumption, but before this season, Greyhounds football coach Andy McKenzie was certain the former Auburn High star would find his way onto the field in 2023 because of his determination, great instincts and toughness.

Through five games, Fitzgerald, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound linebacker is Assumption’s tackles leader, and, while also making his mark on special teams, has helped the defending Northeast-10 Conference champion Greyhounds to a 4-1 (2-0) record.

“Last year’s experience was definitely great,” Fitzgerald said before the Greyhounds practiced Tuesday afternoon. “I learned so much. It was a productive season for me mentally. (To get on the field), learning the playbook was the biggest thing and controlling your effort, too. Growing up, effort was a big thing. I take pride in that. I put in a lot of effort on special teams, so I made that my top priority.”

In the third quarter of last week’s win over AIC, Fitzgerald recovered teammate Brandon Santell’s block of a punt at the Yellow Jackets’ 16-yard line. Two plays later, Assumption scored to take a 24-7 lead.

“He’s always around the ball,” McKenzie said. “He has a knack, and he’s everywhere. He keeps going and going.”

Fitzgerald has 39 tackles, a sack, 2 pass breakups and 3 quarterback hits. He ranks fifth in the NE-10 with 7.8 tackles per game.

At Auburn, Fitzgerald played four sports — football, basketball, baseball and track. He was a SWCL track all-star, and in 2021, he earned Joseph R. Mewhiney Central Mass. Football Division 5 all-star honors, as well as D5 defensive honorable mention from the T&G. His senior year, he helped the Rockets to a 6-3 record.

“When we recruited him,” McKenzie said, “I saw a kid on film who was physical, and you could tell he loved to play. When we met him, we knew he loved it, and that he would work hard no matter what the situation was.”

This summer, in addition to working out and working part time at North Oxford Carpet Mill, Fitzgerald was in the playbook and watching film on a daily basis.

“He has had good mentorship from the guys in the defensive room,” McKenzie said. “They are a competitive group that works well for each other, and they did a good job bringing him along. He’s invested his own time in it as well, and he did a great job in the offseason preparing mentally and physically. He came in in great shape, and he is a lot better runner than he was a year ago.”

In addition to lifting and conditioning in Assumption’s weight room, Fitzgerald works out at Camp Get Right gym in Worcester where his dad, Sean “The Irish Express” Fitzgerald, is a trainer. Sean Fitzgerald was a professional boxer in the 1990s and early 2000s.

“There are a lot of the same principles as football,” Owen Fitzgerald said, “being conditioned, good effort, high intensity. His background helps me out a lot.”

Staying close to home for college was important to Fitzgerald.

“Having friends and family come to the games was a cool aspect of it,” said Fitzgerald, who is studying computer science and cybersecurity.

Fitzgerald is a three-time NE-10 Rookie of the Week honoree this season.

In Assumption’s opening win over Kutztown, he tipped a pass that teammate Dion Kuinlan intercepted. The play set up a touchdown that gave the Greyhounds the lead going into halftime.

Fitzgerald had a game-high 12 tackles in Assumption’s victory over Pace.

“I made sure I could be counted on,” Fitzgerald said. “As a freshman, I was overcomplicating it. I learned that with my team around me, I can ask questions, and things fell into place for me. It’s a player-friendly defense.”

The Greyhounds returned most of their defensive players from last year’s team that won eight games and played in the NCAA Division 2 tournament.

“Owen worked his way up the ladder,” McKenzie said. “He made the plays. He earned every minute he’s got.”

—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @JenTolandTG.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Determined LB Owen Fitzgerald of Auburn is making difference at Assumption