Shelby's Brayden DeVito Named 2025 Ohio Mr. Football Runner-Up

A Legacy in the Making

COLUMBUS — In the annals of Ohio high school football, few names will be remembered as vividly as that of Shelby's Brayden DeVito. His career has already etched itself into the history books, and the journey is far from over.

DeVito, who was named the runner-up for the Ohio Mr. Football Award by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association, is set to lead his team into the Division IV state championship game for the first time in program history. The game is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Friday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. While he won't be walking away with the coveted Ohio Mr. Football trophy, the opportunity to play for a historic state championship alongside his teammates is something he values more than any individual award.

“It is awesome just to be talked about as one of the best players in the entire state,” DeVito said. “Finishing runner-up is amazing and a credit to all of my teammates and coaches and everything they poured into me. It is an awesome achievement that I am very proud of.”

Unmatched Performance

DeVito's 2025 senior season has been nothing short of extraordinary. His stat line is not only impressive but also surpasses that of any other player in Ohio this season. He has completed 193-of-263 passes for 3,147 yards and 41 touchdowns while running for 1,245 yards on 133 carries and 26 scores. Additionally, he added a fumble return and an interception return for a score, giving him a total of 69 touchdowns this season.

Despite being a runner-up, DeVito remains focused on what matters most — winning a state championship before moving on to the United States Air Force Academy, where he will continue his football career at the Division I level.

“It is incredible to be from Shelby, Ohio and say we had the runner-up for Mr. Football,” Shelby coach Rob Mahaney said. “To see the work and time Brayden put in has been fun to watch and I am so thankful to have gotten the opportunity to coach him. We knew pretty early that he could be trusted to be our quarterback and it is crazy to think about coaching the runner-up. That is special.”

A Team Effort

DeVito’s success is not solely his own. It is the result of countless hours of hard work, dedication, and support from his teammates and coaches. The entire Shelby community has rallied behind him, celebrating every milestone and supporting him through every challenge.

As the team prepares for the state championship, the focus is on unity and determination. The goal is clear — to make history and bring home a title that will be remembered for years to come.

DeVito's career is an outlier. He has completed 728-of-1,102 passes for 12,804 yards and 126 touchdowns averaging 14 yards per completion and completing 66.2% of his passes and averages 271.21 yards per game. He is No. 4 on the all-time passing yards list in Ohio high school football history and is tied for No. 8 on the passing touchdowns list.

He has 4,530 rushing yards on 543 carries with 73 touchdowns as he owns the school record for rushing touchdowns along with nearly every career passing record. He is just 73 yards from the career rushing record at Shelby, too.

Add in his 11 catches for 204 yards and three scores along with three defensive touchdowns and DeVito has 17,538 yards of total offense and 205 total touchdowns.

“That is pretty special,” Shelby offensive coordinator Gabe Helbert said. “I am not sure in my wildest imagination believe that I would coach a guy who was even in the running for Mr. Football. Brayden is extremely deserving and I am lucky to have gotten to coach him.

“One thing that jumps out is his elite talent. But the most impressive thing is his elite mindset. It is second to none. He is a warrior and relentlessly pursues excellence. His desire to get better in every phase is so impressive. It is a very focused desire.”

While not earning the Ohio Mr. Football award may be disappointing, DeVito has piled up the accolades during his career.

Along with Ohio Mr. Football Runner-up, DeVito earned the Division IV Offensive Player of the Year award to cap off a career that saw three first team All-Ohio, three Northwest District Offensive Player of the Year, three first team All-Northwest District, three North Central Ohio Football Coaches Association Offensive Back of the Year, two Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference Player of the Year and three first team All-MOAC honors. He was a second team All-NW District and All-MOAC player as a freshman.

“It has been incredible to watch him put in the work during the winter and spring,” Shelby wide receiver Brady Bowman said. “He deserved Mr. Football, but he also deserves everything he has received in his career because he has worked so hard for it all.”

He is one of the most decorated players in Shelby football history and in all of Richland County and has his team playing for a Division IV state championship at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

“I’d trade all of it,” DeVito said. “I would trade every single thing I have every accomplished individually for a state championship.”

DeVito took runner-up honors behind Indian Valley's Grady Kinsey, the state's all-time rushing touchdowns record holder and DeVito's future teammate at Air Force. The Falcons will get the two best players in Ohio in one of the best recruiting jobs.

“A huge congrats to Grady,” DeVito said. “We are going to Air Force together and if someone else were to win it, I’d want it to be him. We have a good relationship and he is an awesome guy who has a great mind for the game and a great mentality. I am excited to be future teammates with him and I am super happy for him.”

Kinsey recorded 107 total points in the voting process while DeVito had 96. No one else had more than 40.

“He is a clear No. 2 and I thought both of them were very special football players,” Mahaney said. “I would have loved to see Brayden win it because obviously, I believe he is the best player in the state of Ohio, but I understand that Kinsey is pretty darn special, too. They both have rewritten the OHSAA record books. It is cool to know those two kids are going to go play college football together.”

Brayden DeVito's State by Season

2022 Stats

Passing: 144-for-247, 2,464 yards, 22 TDs

Rushing: 80 carries, 526 yards, 4 Touchdowns

Receiving: 1 catches, 2 yards

2023 Stats

Passing: 191-for-296, 3,556 yards, 30 Touchdowns

Rushing: 141 carries, 1,194 yards, 17 Touchdowns

Receiving: 3 catches, 111 yards, 2 Touchdowns

2024 Stats

Passing: 200-for-296, 3,637 yards, 33 Touchdowns

Rushing: 189 carries, 1,565 yards, 26 Touchdowns

Receiving: 4 catches, 76 yards, Touchdown

Interception Return for TD

2025 Stats

Passing: 193-for-263, 3,147 yards, 41 Touchdowns

Rushing: 133 carries, 1,245 yards, 26 Touchdowns

Receiving: 3 catches, 15 yards.

Fumble return and interception for TDs.

Brayden DeVito's Postseason Honors by Season

2025: Ohio Mr. Football Runner-up, Division IV Offensive Player of the Year, Division IV First Team All-Ohio, Division IV Northwest District Offensive Player of the Year, Division IV First Team All-Northwest District, North Central Ohio Football Coaches Association Offensive Back of the Year – Red Division, Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference Player of the Year, First Team All-Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference.

2024: Division IV First Team All-Ohio, Division IV Northwest District Offensive Player of the Year, Division IV First Team All-Northwest District, North Central Ohio Football Coaches Association Offensive Back of the Year – Red Division, Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference Player of the Year, First Team All-Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference.

2023: Division IV First Team All-Ohio, Division IV Northwest District Offensive Player of the Year, Division IV First Team All-Northwest District, First Team All-Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference.

2022: Division IV Second Team All-Northwest District, Second Team All-Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference.

Brayden DeVito's Shelby Football Records

Career Completions: 728

Career Attempts: 1,102

Career Passing Yards: 12,804

Career Touchdown Passes: 126

Career Completion Percentage: 66.2%

Career Average Yards per Completion: 17.6

Career Rushing Touchdowns: 73

Total Touchdowns: 205

Career Rushing Yards: 4,530 (Second)

Career Yards Per Rushing Attempt: 8.34 (Second)

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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Shelby's Brayden DeVito is the runner-up for 2025 Ohio Mr. Football

Looking Ahead

While the immediate goal is to win the state championship, DeVito’s journey doesn’t end there. His future in football is bright, and the experience he gains in the coming weeks will undoubtedly shape his path forward. Whether on the field or in the classroom, his commitment to excellence will continue to define him.

For now, the spotlight is on the state championship game. It is a moment that will test the team’s resolve, but with DeVito at the helm, the prospects are promising. The legacy of Shelby football is on the line, and the entire community is ready to cheer them on.