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A little more than a week after he signed with Gardner-Webb University as a long snapper, the Wildcats announced late Wednesday that Mull had been selected as Draughn High School’s first-ever participant in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.

A versatile player, Mull will participate as an H-back in the all-star game pitting prep players from North Carolina versus South Carolina. The contest is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at Spartanburg High School.

“Getting selected for the Shrine Bowl is a prestigious honor,� Mull said. “Someone had dropped out of the bowl and, fortunately, I was next in line. I’ll get to play with some of the best football players in North Carolina and against some of the best in South Carolina. It is a great opportunity to showcase my abilities.�

Mull’s head coach couldn’t be more thrilled about the development.

“I’m very excited for Jacob,� said DHS coach Chris Powell. “The Shrine Bowl is, in my opinion, the most prestigious game that there is around. It’s the 88th annual Shrine Bowl and as a high school athlete, you aspire to play in that all-star game.

“Jacob put in the hard work and dedication and deserves it. So, I’m excited for him. It’s a great opportunity for him to showcase his talents.�

While Mull is going to long snap in college, Powell said North Carolina head coach Richard Bailey, of Scotland High School in Laurinburg, added Mull to his roster to make use of Mull’s other talents. Mull caught 24 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns as a senior, also adding a rushing touchdown to his totals.

“(Bailey) said he knows (Mull is) a great long snapper, but that’s going to be second for him down there,� Powell said. “They’re really excited to use him for his H-back capabilities with Jacob’s speed, his athleticism, his hands, his strength and size. That gives them a really good look at an H-back.�

It’s another first for the Draughn program, which two seasons ago won its first conference championship and made one of the deepest state playoff runs in Burke County history, with a then-sophomore Mull playing a part in that.

“I think it’s special,� Powell said. “You look at what the Shrine Bowl is and the organization of the Shriners that runs that and what it represents. I think outside of the realm of football, that’s a huge accomplishment. It’s exciting. We thought over the last couple years we’ve had some guys who were capable of playing in the Shrine Bowl and never got the opportunity to, some of it being due to the fact that the (North Carolina Coaches Association’s) East-West All-Star Game used to be in the summertime, so that was kind of difficult for players to play in.

“But the Shrine Bowl being what it is, Jacob’s well-deserving of it. It’s a great representation for our school and for our football program. It just shows the dedication and hard work that kid has put in over the years is paying off for him.�

Powell is looking forward to the opportunity to be in the stands to watch Mull.

“I’ve already told my girlfriend we’ve got plans next Saturday,� Powell said. “It’ll be different sitting in the stands watching one of your kids, but he’s got great coaches down there, some guys who are really going to take care of him next week.

“I’m going to be able to sit back and not worry about the stress of coaching. I’ll just enjoy watching a young man who’s worked his tail off enjoy the benefits of it, now.�

Powell is very happy to see good things coming together for a player who has been an integral part of his program for the past four seasons.

“Words can’t express, knowing the struggles and things he’s been through,� Powell said. “The bumps and bruises that he went through this year alone. But when you see a kid who’s worked for four years and watched a kid grow for four years, you’ve seen him mature as a human being and as a student-athlete.

“You get to see it all come to fruition with a signing to Division I and, now, the opportunity to play in the most prestigious all-star game. You can’t be anything but excited for the kid.�

The meaning behind the game isn’t lost on Mull, either.

“It is a great opportunity to help out the community as the bowl game supports Shriners Hospital and the players will get to go over to the hospital and spend some time with the kids,� Mull said. “It seems as though the hard work and dedication I’ve put into football over the past few years is starting to pay off.

“I’m very grateful for this amazing opportunity.�