(FOX 17) — Area football players that are signing to play with division one school inked their names to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday.
Coopersville senior offensive lineman Gabe VanSickle had been committed to Northwestern but switched to Ohio State and signed to play with the Buckeyes.
"It doesn't feel real honestly," VanSickle said. "Little Gabe would never have believed this and it actually just happened today. It's the highest level and I've always wanted to play at the highest level."
Forest Hills Cental's Ty Hudkins was also a Northwestern pledge, but the Rangers standout switched to Purdue and on Wednesday made it official that he will be heading to West Lafayette.
"My dad has been a coach for 35 years so I've been born in the game," Hudkins said about his Dad, Greg, who was an assistant this season at FHC. "It is in my blood and I've always loved it, it is all I wanted to do growing up and it is all I want to do now still and I'm going to do that."
Caledonia had two that signed on Wednesday and are headed to rival schools in Mid American Conference.
Running back Brock Townsend will follow in his father, Fred's footsteps and play at Central Michigan while linebacker Derek Pennington junior is off to Western Michigan.
"Just super excited," Brock said. "Definitely ready for the opportunity to go to the next level and prove my worth."
"Just to be part of this program is really something special," Pennington said. "I'm excited to be part of the brotherhood of Broncos Nation."
East Kentwood linebacker Stellan Bowman signed to play at Ohio next fall.
"I want to compete for playing time right away," Bowman said. "That's just the way I am, I love competing, I want to get playing time right away, at the same time if I do get an extra year, get a redshirt I can't be upset but I'm going to go in there and work my butt off."
Grand Rapids Catholic Central quarterback Connor Wolf signed to play Eastern Illinois an Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) school.
"Definitely relying on my family and my friends and everybody in my corner to make the right decision for me. I am really excited for the next few years with Eastern Illinois so glad we landed on that decision."
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