This, in short, was how Ahern ended up in a Harvard uniform. In 2012, he opened preseason at 175 pounds—20 pounds lighter than he is now.
College competition soon jolted to a stop, however. After appearing in the season opener, Ahern tore his pectoral muscle. Season over.
“It was definitely a challenging time being a freshman,” Ahern said. “The level of the game was just so much different, something I did not anticipate. And being hurt, I kind of felt separated from the team.”
Rehab relieved that sentiment. So did on-field success.
As a junior, Ahern started for the Crimson, leading the team with six pass break-ups as Harvard battled to an undefeated campaign. In the 2014 Game—yes, that epic 31-24 slugfest with the championship at stake—he had the best contest of his year, preventing two catches and recording seven tackles.
“Corners make their money, so to speak, by being great cover corners,” Murphy said. “He is that, but he’s a tough, physical guy. He plays physically like a safety with a corner’s ability.”
The next year, he returned as the top cover guy for a Crimson defense that allowed 13 points a game, the second-stingiest mark in the nation. On special teams, Ahern added another accolade: kick blocker par excellence. He rejected two boots to rank first in the Ancient Eight.
In both 2014 and 2015, postseason voters recognized this dominance, tapping Ahern for consecutive All-Ivy first teams.
These days, as a fifth-year senior, Ahern remains one of the few holdovers from last season’s overpowering unit. He mans a secondary short on experience, though not enthusiasm.
As of last fall, Ahern is also Harvard’s captain, the 11th straight defensive player to earn this post. (New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick ’05 was the last exception).
“He’s naturally taken to being the captain,” Murphy said. “He’s one of those guys that everyone respects…. He doesn’t mind holding his teammates accountable to the same high standards that he holds himself.”
As one might expect for a fifth-year player, these high standards reflect years of watching and playing alongside talented players. Ahern cited a number of defensive mates as role models, including linebacker Matt Koran ’16, defensive back Norman Hayes ’15, and defensive back D.J. Monroe ’13, who died last October.
Still, perhaps the most intense idol is the one who has accompanied Ahern during his entire journey, from Friday night epics at Ballaban Field to Saturday afternoon nail-biters at Harvard Stadium. Certainly Ahern’s father has seen a lot, including most Crimson contests over the past two seasons, and barring the intervention of injuries or fate, he stands to see nine more.
Much has passed between father and son in all these years, but at least one question remains unanswerable: Who’s the better player?
“Oh definitely me,” Ahern said. Then he paused, making sure that he got his words right. “He might’ve been a harder hitter.”
—Staff writer Sam Danello can be reached at sam.danello@thecrimson.com.