NORTON SHORES, Mich. — Mona Shores High School linebacker Andrew Baker had one huge dream growing up.
It came true on Wednesday, as he signed to play college football at Western Michigan as a preferred walk-on.
"I am just excited that I got an opportunity," Baker said. "This is what I have always wanted to do. It's what I think about every day."
The Sailors linebacker had a few GLIAC offers but his only Division 1 opportunity came from the Broncos so he jumped at it.
"The whole process is what you think about since your first started playing football," Baker said. "I am really excited to finally find a place, find a home and commit to one school and be done with it."
However, the walk-on is not done with Mona Shores. He will be the fourth Sailor on the Western Michigan football roster in the fall joining Mark Konecny, Damari Roberson and Jacob Wahlberg.
"It's kind of nice to be able to talk to people there and be comfortable to go to a place where I know some people," Baker said.
Another person he got to know during the recruiting process was Broncos head coach Lance Taylor. He feels like the second-year head coach was a big draw.
"The coaching staff is a huge thing," Baker said. "I like their coaching staff a lot. Coach Taylor in his first year this past year, I see a ton of bright stuff in their program."
Baker knows he will be the low man on the totem pole as a freshman walk-on, but he is ready to show he belongs.
"I don't think many people want to do it but it's not very scary to me to go somewhere, prove myself, work hard and work my way up," Baker said. "That's my mindset going in. It's kind of what I have always done - worked hard and do my thing. Good stuff will come I feel."
While his main goal was just to get the Division 1 college football level, Baker dreams of someday earning a scholarship from Western Michigan.
"Obviously, that's the goal going in," Baker said. "A lot of people have had success at Western especially doing that."
But before any scholarship is earned, the Sailors senior is ready to put the pads on and get to work.
"Just go in there and start learning right away. Learn from the guys who were already at Shores," Baker said. "They have been a great help so far so that has been super nice. I am just excited to get to work right away."
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