Canton Mckinley sends six to college on football scholarships

Head Coach Antonio Hall looks over signing by Marcel WattsPhoto byCanton City School District Facebook File Photo

Canton, Ohio- This past Monday was a busy day for the Canton Mckinley football program as they send six football athletes to college on scholaships.

Geno Kelley, Thomas Burton Jr. and Mekhi Mack all would sign an NLI to Lake Erie College located in Painesville, OH a Division II program playing out of the Great Midwest Conference.

Kelley a 5'9 defensive back who originally commited to Notre Dame College in Cleveland which shut down operations after the spring session, thus leading Kelley to open recruitment back up.

Burton Jr. who battled a nagging injury most of his senior season would latch on never giving up hope of playing football at the next level, a hybrid safety standing at 6'1 175lbs looks to prove him self with this oppurtunity.

Mack was another casualty of the imfamous sudden shutdown of Notre Dame College, Mack a 6'5 280lb Offensive lineman played multiple positions up front making him more valuable.

Two other Bulldogs would sign with Tiffin University a Division II school also playing out of the Great Midwest Conference, Marcel Watts a 6'0 235 defensive end who also seen some time at Tightend, "I feel like Tiffin is home, I been in a relationship with all the old coaches, I can really see myself there playing." said Watts during signing day interview.

Keaton Rode seen alot of time behind center for the Bulldogs over the last two seasons as the signal caller, a 6'0 175lb transfer from Louisville High School made his mark as a Bulldog leading them to a Federal League Championship this past season.

"The decision was just the coaches for me, they were really straight foward seem like really good people, people I want to build relationships with," said Rode.

Shaukeer Hatcher would sign with Judson University a private baptist school located in Elgin, Illinois playing out of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Hatcher a 6'0 190lb linebacker who also played some time at running back for the Bulldogs was also an Division I Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association All-Ohio athlete.

Hatcher was selected to the 2024 OHSFCA North South All-Star game played recently at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.