Paul Jorgensen

Paul Jorgensen, a 2010 DeWitt graduate, earned five varsity letters in football and basketball. At 6’6” and 275 pounds, he clearly stood out above the rest. In football, Jorgensen earned All-League, All-Area and All-State honors as he anchored both the offensive and defensive line. DeWitt won three consecutive league championships and compiled a 29-6 record during his three seasons on varsity. In 2009, he led DeWitt to a 12-1 record and a berth in the state semi-finals where the Panthers eventually fell to perennial power Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. He was a member of the “Dream Team” for the Lansing State Journal (LSJ), the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press. He was also named the LSJ Defensive Player of the Year, while tallying 46 tackles, three sacks and three fumble recoveries. In basketball, he helped lead the Panthers to league championships during both his junior and senior seasons as DeWitt was 30-12 (16-4 in league play) with Jorgensen as starting center. He earned All-League recognition both years. In 2010, he was named DeWitt’s Male Athlete of the Year. Jorgensen took his game to the next level as an offensive lineman for Northwestern University for the next four seasons, making him the first football player in DeWitt’s history to receive a full-ride scholarship to play at a Big Ten school. After redshirting his first year, Jorgensen saw time in 24 of 26 games during the 2011 and 2012 seasons as a reserve offensive lineman and on special teams. Against Illinois, he caught a 24-yard touchdown pass on a tackle-eligible play, contributing to a 50-14 victory for the Wildcats. During his redshirt junior season, he started all 12 games at right tackle. Jorgensen was selected team co-captain while starting all 12 games at left tackle as a senior, completing 24 consecutive starts over his final two seasons. He was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.