GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — In the heart of downtown, seven Grand Rapids Catholic Central Cougars football players signed their national letters of intent together.
Some of them may very well be playing against each other in the very near future. GRCC has three players heading to play football in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). Kellen Russell-Dixon committed to play and Grand Valley State University, Brendan Roehr to Saginaw Valley State University, and Brendan Napieralski to Michigan Tech.
Marcus Nystrom will also be competing in the GLIAC at Davenport University, though his commitment is for track.
Aside from the GLIAC commitments, GRCC has Connor Wolf committed to play at Eastern Illinois, Mill Coleman III to Northwood University, and Adam Whalen to Grinnell College in Iowa.
"It meant so much," Russell-Dixon said about the opportunity to make his commitment official alongside his teammates.
"I've been through so much with those guys - the good times, the bad times, and the hardest moments possible. It was really awesome to just do that with them. I'd do anything for those guys. I'd trust those guys with my life."
Russell-Dixon is excited that the recruiting process is over and to be playing college ball for the Lakers, so close to home.
"It reminded me a lot of Catholic Central - just the winning traditions over and over and over. Just the community itself - the coaches, the players, all of it - feels really welcoming," he said.
During their senior campaign, these players helped propel Catholic Central to a 13-1 record, an OK Gold conference championship, and a state championship victory against Corunna.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Watch 13 ON YOUR SIDE for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and on your phone.
