Two-sport athlete chooses collegiate path, reopens recruiting process
GOODRICH, Mich. (BVM) — Regardless if games took place on the football field or the basketball court, Goodrich High School athlete, Aidan Rubio, performed at a high level last season.
However, despite stellar play both on the gridiron and the hardwood, Rubio enters his senior year as one of the state’s most under-recruited players.
On the football field, Rubio is a threat with his arms and legs, as he helped pace the Martians’ offense last season while leading the team to a 7-3 record.
The quarterback gained 1,853 all-purpose yards as a junior, and passed for 1,648 yards. He also tossed 18 touchdowns while throwing only one interception. In addition, Rubio scored two rushing touchdowns and even had a touchdown reception.
Rubio’s ability to impact the game in multiple facets seamlessly translated to the hardwood. His emergence as a scoring threat added balance to a potent Goodrich offense, leading to a successful season for the Martians’ boys basketball team.
Rubio reached double figures in 21 of the team’s 22 games last season, and scored 20 or more points 11 times.
A threat to attack the rim as well as hit shots beyond the three-point line, the 6-foot-6 combo guard averaged 17.5 points per game, while also notching nearly six rebounds and three assists per contest. Rubio posted a solid 52% shooting clip, and shot 36% from the three-point line.
Goodrich went on to win the Flint Metro League, going unbeaten in league play with a mark of 16-0.
After two convincing wins early in the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) boys basketball tournament, the Martians’ entered the district finals with a 21-1 record and a 13-game winning streak. The team was also ranked second in Division 2 by The Associated Press.
Goodrich appeared to be on their way to delivering their first state title to long-time head coach, Gary Barns, before the MHSAA halted contests due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March. In fact, the Martians 94-57 win over Lake Fenton on March 11– where Rubio scored 12 points– was one of the final events completed before the shutdown the following day.
Despite not getting to finish his junior season, Rubio received multiple accolades for his efforts. The 6-foot-6 guard earned first-team honors in MLive’s ranking of players from the Flint area, while also making honorable mention on the Detroit Free Press’ Dream Team ranking of players throughout the state.
For high school athletes with the capability to play at the next level, receiving an offer to play sports collegiately is significant. Rubio experienced that feeling this summer as he received his first college scholarship offer from Morgan State University, a member of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
However, after consulting with his family and receiving early interest from Mid-American Conference (MAC) schools for his abilities on the basketball court, Rubio declared last month that he would exclusively focus on basketball once he graduates from high school — reopening his recruitment.
After a four-week delay to the season that began soon after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer lifted an executive order that allowed the football season to start, the Martians took the field for their first game of the 2020 season against Corunna High School on Sept.18.
As if immune from the distractions of the last six months, the game was business as usual for Rubio. He threw three touchdown passes to wide receiver and basketball teammate Tyson Davis, as the Martians rolled to a 25-0 win over the Cavaliers.
With all teams qualifying for the MHSAA playoffs this year and being at the helm of a formidable offense, Rubio is poised to end his football career for the Martians on a high note before shifting his focus to basketball, and finishing what last year’s team started.
While it’s tough to pinpoint why Rubio hasn’t garnered more attention on the recruiting trail, one thing is certain: If his production has a say in the matter, that won’t be the case for much longer.
