Shelby's Karsen Homan signs with Ashland University football
By David Jacobs
Multisport Shelby athlete Karsen Homan announced this week that he is heading to Ashland University after high school graduation to continue his football career.
"So thankful to be joining the AU family!" Homan said Tuesday in a post on the social media platform X. "Thank you to Coach [Doug] Geiser and his staff for this opportunity!"
A standout defensive end and first-team All-Ohio in 2024, Homan made it official with a signing ceremony at Shelby High School on Wednesday -- National Signing Day across the USA for high school football moving on to the college level.
"Welcome to Eagle Nation, Karsen Homan!" Ashland football said in a tweet Wednesday afternoon.
In an announcement on its 2025 football signing class, Ashland listed Homan at 6-4 and 200 pounds.
It noted that Homan, a senior at Shelby High School, was named:
-- first-team All-Ohio and All-Region
-- regional Defensive Lineman of the Year and first-team All-Mid Ohio Athletic Conference
Homan is a "10-time letter winner between football, basketball and baseball," at Shelby High School, Ashland detailed in also linking to Homan's video highlights reel.
Homan also is an outstanding student. In November, the Rotary Club of Shelby honored Homan as its Student of the Month, praising the high school senior for exceptional academic and athletic achievements.
Homan, a senior, maintained a 4.124 grade point at the time, the Rotary noted.
Ashland enters 2025 with football momentum.
"In 2024, the Eagles finished 9-4 overall and 8-1 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, winning the conference championship outright and winning a road NCAA Division II postseason game for the first time in program history," Wednesday's announcement said. "Ashland was 23rd in the final 2024 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches Poll."
More: Ashland University signing day
At Ashland, Homan will join a former Shelby football teammate from the 2023-24 academic year -- Issaiah Ramsey.
In addition, a teammate from Shelby's state Final 4 basketball team, Casey Lantz, is a member of the Ashland University basketball program.
In announcing earlier this week his plans to go to Ashland, Homan said via X:
"I thank God for blessing me with this opportunity and the people who have helped me along the way. I would also like to thank all of my coaches for their dedication to me and the sport that I love.
"I have been blessed to have grown up in a town that supports their athletes the way Shelby does," Homan said.
He went on to "most importantly" thank his parents.
"Without them I wouldn’t be the person who I am today. Their support and guidance has given me the strength to accomplish my goals and gain these opportunities. I will forever be grateful for the sacrifices you have made..." Homan wrote.
The Shelby Whippets concluded their 2024 football season with a 12-1 overall record. They won the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference championship and advanced to the Division IV regional semifinals.