CALEDONIA, Mich. — Caledonia High School linebacker Derek Pennington, Jr. grew up going to Western Michigan Broncos games.
The next time he attends a game at Waldo Stadium, he'll be running on the field as a member of the football program.
On Wednesday, he signed to play college ball in Kalamazoo.
"It's a relief," Pennington said. "Just to be a part of this program is really special. I am just ready to be a part of the brotherhood at Broncos nation."
Along with Western Michigan, Pennington also received offers from Central Michigan, Toledo, Navy and Army. Something kept drawing him to play for the Broncos.
"Just feeling like home," Pennington said. "Didn't really want to feel homesick. Obviously, it's only like 30 to 45 minutes away. It felt like home to me."
He was certainly excited every time Western Michigan defensive coordinator Lou Esposito came to Caledonia to recruit him. The three-star recruit estimates he visited around five times.
"It just felt like home to me," Pennington said. "All of the staff and coaches felt very welcoming. I was very excited."
Pennington played both sides of the ball for the Fighting Scots, but he'll play middle linebacker for the Broncos.
"They are going to get a fast and physical player out of me," Pennington said.
The future Bronco will not enroll early. He will head to Kalamazoo in June, where he will be ready to make an impact in Year 1 as a college football player.
"Just progress myself as a football player," Pennington said. "I really want to get assimilated to their culture and the other guys."
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