by Jared Jensen
The Paducah Sun
February 5, 2025
Used with permission.
The most recent Blue Tornado football talent to make his commitment to play collegiate football is senior linebacker Jimmy Mooney. He announced on social media earlier this week that he will be continuing his football and academic career at Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN.
A staple for the Tilghman football program for the last five years, Mooney has made a significant impact for the Blue Tornado all over the field. His talent on defense and his skills on special teams will be an asset for the Phoenix almost immediately according to the conversations he’s had with his future coaching staff.
“I’m guaranteed to play all four special teams units going into it,” Mooney said on the expectation the Cumberland coaches have of him from the start. “There’s also an opening at the linebacker position and coach wants me ready to come in and work hard for that spot. So I’m excited to go in and see some minutes.”
Mooney was one of the many high school athletes in the area to capitalize on COVID-19, cashing in on the option to extend one more year of high school. This gave him five years on the varsity squad starting in 2020 where he brought down 13 tackles, secured a fumble recovery and a sack.
From there he only progressed as did the team and Jimmy believes he wouldn’t be where he’s at today and going on to play college football if had played anywhere besides Tilghman.
“Coach Thompson came in during the COVID year and completely changed the program and the way we did things,” Mooney said. “Practice went from a high school level practice to a college level practice. Workouts in the weight room intensified and ultimately we all grew together as a family. I couldn’t have asked with four years with any other group.”
Mooney says utilizing his COVID option and playing a fifth year only benefited him, not only on the field, but in the classroom as well.
“I think getting that extra year definitely gave me and upper hand,” He said. “I got an extra year to learn. I got an extra year with great coaches that taught me how to study film the right way to prepare me for the game beforehand. So I think it gave me an upper hand, but I had to make sure I used it the right way.”
That right way led to a final season with 73 total tackles, 41 solo and 32 assisted. He also had eight tackles for a loss of yards, three sacks and his first career interception.
Throughout his five years of high school football, Jimmy tallied 314 total tackles, proving himself a beast among the Blue Tornado defense and special teams.
He now joins a Cumberland program that went 7-3 last season and 3-3 in the Mid-South Conference.
“The coaching staff at Cumberland was welcoming with open arms since day one,” Mooney said. “We didn’t start talking until this last summer and since then they’ve kept up with me, asked how I was doing, asked how my family was doing, and they just really seemed to care.”
For now, Jimmy will finish up his senior season at Paducah Tilghman High School and wrap up his wrestling season as well where he proves equally dominant, making statements at the state tournament the past two seasons and hopes to make it a third.