Jesuit’s John Plasencia will remain a “Cat” at the next level.

The Tigers tight end/defensive end verbally committed to Northwestern, picking the Wildcats over a host of other Division I schools, including Vanderbilt, Cincinnati and Syracuse. He returned from a trip to Harvard this past weekend, having narrowed his decision down between the Ivy League school and the Wildcats and picked Northwestern.

“I really feel like I’m going to the best school for me,” Plasencia said. “It’s the best fit for me. They have the perfect mix of academics and athletics. I immediately felt it was a place I could see myself spending the next four or five years of my life.”

Plasencia finished his senior season second on the team in receiving with 23 receptions for 256 yards and one touchdown. He was also second on the team with 62 tackles and three sacks.

“They’re getting a Class A player,” Jesuit coach Joe Ross said. “Character wise, player wise, academic wise, he’s got it all going on.”