WASHINGTON – When the Georgetown University football team reported to campus last week, there were several orders of business that needed to be addressed before the squad could take the field. Head Coach Rob Sgarlata took care of one matter at the team's first meeting when he announced graduate student Ahmad Wilson as the 2021 recipient of the No. 35 Joe Eacobacci Memorial Jersey.
 
"The way you do anything, is the way you do everything," said Sgarlata. "In 2019, former No. 35 recipient Nick Alfieri (2014) spoke extensively about this quote to our players and staff. This year's representative, Ahmad Wilson embodies this each and every day. He is a true scholar-athlete and a leader on and off of the field. As impressive as his academic and athletic accomplishments are, they do not do justice to the incredible impact Ahmad has on everyone he interacts with on a daily basis. Thankfully Ahmad's 4-for-40 journey on the Hilltop has turned into a 5-for-40 as he works to complete his graduate degree while leading our football program."
 
Wilson, who graduated from the Hilltop in December with a degree in finance and operations & information management and is currently pursuing his master's degree in business analytics, becomes the 16th recipient of the No. 35 jersey since its inception in 2003 and the fourth defensive back.
 
The safety ranked second on the GU defense in 2019 with 62 tackles while also adding 3.0 TFL, a forced fumble and an interception. He was named to the All-Patriot League First Team, marking his third postseason all-conference honor in his three years. In 33 career games, the Pittsburgh native has recorded 135 tackles to go along with three interceptions and 15 passes defended.
 
Off the field, Wilson has been named to the 2019 CoSIDA Academic All-District Team, is a two-time Patriot League All-Academic Team selection and has earned three Patriot League Academic Honor Roll nods.
 
"To be selected as the recipient of the Joe Eacobacci Memorial Jersey is a great honor and my greatest accomplishment as a football player," said Wilson. "I am humbled that my coaches and teammates place me in such high regard. I am excited for this opportunity to lead my teammates and carry on Joey's legacy."
 
The Hoyas open the 2021 season on September 4 when the Blue & Gray welcomes Marist to Cooper Field. Georgetown will play five home games this fall, including three Patriot League matchups and a nonconference tilt against Harvard (September 18). The squad will also travel to Columbia on September 25, looking to keep the Lou Little Trophy after an exciting 24-10 victory in 2019.