FLINT TWP. — A football program noted for sending players to the next level is graduating at least four more into the college ranks this year.
Carman-Ainsworth seniors Chad Coleman, Chris McKay, Dominique Harris and James Madison signed letters-of-intent this month, and three more Cavaliers could be signing soon, coach Nate Williams said. A mock signing took place yesterday at the high school.
Coleman will play for Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.; McKay is headed for Missouri Science & Technology in Rolla, Mo.; Harris has signed with Reedley College in Reedley, Calif., and Madison will play at Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pa.
Coleman, who has been chosen for the state All- Star Game this June, was the biggest football talent of the group, but the 5-foot-10, 170-pound defensive back got a full academic ride to Div. I-AA Georgetown. He was also recruited by Siena Heights and GLIAC schools Hillsdale, Grand Valley State, Saginaw Valley State and Northwood.
“Georgetown is a big academic school, and that’s very important to me,” said Coleman, a 3.85 student who will study business marketing. “I can go down there and get a great degree while playing the game I love.”
McKay also visited Ferris State and SVSU, but, like Coleman, was intrigued by the academic aspect of Missouri S&T. The Div. II school is rated highly by Forbes magazine for the financial success of its graduates.
“It’s a good feeling just to be out of the state of Michigan, spread my wings and experience the world,” said McKay, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound DB/LB who will major in finance.
Harris, a 6-foot-3, 265-pound tackle, was courted by Olivet and some other California schools but settled on the junior college in northern California.
“They have what I want education-wise, in criminal justice,” said Harris, a First-Team offensive lineman on the All-Big Nine Conference team.
Madison was perhaps the biggest comeback story of the bunch. A non-qualifier academically, who missed his junior year of football with a broken ankle, he sent out e-mails and videotapes to some 60 jucos around the nation.
“I got maybe 5-6 replies, and at one point I felt kind of down,” said the 6-foot, 170-pound DB. “But as soon as Lackawanna sent me my stuff saying, ‘We want you,’ I was jumping for joy all around the house.”
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