ALLENDALE, Mich. — Grand Valley State University second-year Head Football Coach Scott Wooster announced the signing of 31 student-athletes to attend and play football for the Lakers in the fall of 2024.
“We had an outstanding year identifying our needs and getting what we wanted on both sides of the ball,” Wooster said. “We had specific needs in what we were looking for, while also honing in the best players available in Michigan and the bordering states."
Wooster said the fit between the recruits and the culture they've established in the program is important.
"We have an incredible culture within our program and we want kids that really want to be a part of Grand Valley State football and fit into our culture," Wooster said.
He also said a number of the recruits had Division I interest, and while they kept the majority, some were lost.
"It is also essential that we find the right fit in the classroom and socially, and we are extremely proud of our student-athletes' academic success rating, which is among the leaders in both the GLIAC and NCAA," Wooster said.
Grand Valley State’s 2024 class consists of 31 total players from Michigan (25), Ohio (4), and Illinois (2). The Lakers signed 18 defensive players, 12 offensive players and a kicker.
The six local West Michigan players include several players with state championship pedigree.
Those players are Gage Chatfield from Jenison High School, Mason Kirn from Rockford High School, Kellen-Russell-Dixon out of Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School, West Catholic's Ryer Snow and the South Christian duo of Jake Vermaas and Cameron VanSolkema.
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