#CFC100 OL MacKellar commits to NCAA’s Rice Owls (VIDEO)

#CFC100 Gregor MacKellar has ended his recruitment process.

After a whirlwind weekend that saw him net his first NCAA Division 1 offer, the 6’5, 314 pound has verbally committed to Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team Rice Owls.

MacKellar will officially sign with the Owls on NCAA National Signing Day in early February 2017.

In a previous article on this site yesterday, MacKellar has initially indicated he would not make a decision until at least the end of June or the beginning of July as he was scheduled to attend multiple NCAA camps in the coming days and weeks.

However, the offensive lineman had a change of heart last night.

“I had a busy camp schedule for the summer and had hopes to receive a couple other key offers that could compare to Rice,” explained MacKellar.  “After they notified me today, they had made six offers and only had two spots left on the 2017 roster.”

“I had a good amount of interest in Syracuse and could have waited until the end of June in hopes to recieve at their camp, but I could not pass up on the great offer from Rice.”

Overall, there were a couple of specific factors as to why the lineman opted for the Owls.

“I ended up choosing Rice because of two main reasons; top notch academics and a top level football atmosphere,” offered MacKellar. “Rice has a fantastic coaching staff that really shows an interest in you not just as a player but as a person.”

MacKellar began his gridiron journey in 2009 with the Timberlea Titans Minor Football Association.  That year, the lineman was named MVP for helping the atom team win the Provincial Championship.

He would move to play for both the peewee and bantam teams.  Additionally, MacKellar has suited up for other teams during his career including Timberlea Renegades as well as Sir John A MacDonald Flames of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL).

Currently, the lineman is playing with St. Andrew’s College Saints of the Conference Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA).

 

Moreover, Mackellar has represented his province and country as a member of Team Nova Scotia’s under -17 squad at the Wilson Cup Challenge in Quebec (2012, 2013), Team Nova Scotia’s under-18 squad at Football Canada Cup tournaments in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (2014) as well as Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec (2015), Team Ontario’s under-18 squad at the International Bowl in Arlington, Texas (2015) and Team Canada’s under-18 team at the International Bowl in Arlington Texas (2015).

Last month, the offensive lineman was the only Nova Scotia ranked recruit to make the first edition of the #CFC100 CLASS 2017 RANKINGS.

While the recruitment process has been a roller coaster of emotions, the #CFC100 lineman is thrilled with the turn of events in the last few days.  Now with his decision made, he can focus on preparing for the next phase of his gridiron career which includes the opportunity to play alongside former Saints player and current Owls lineman Peter Godber.

“I feel a great sense of relief, going from no offers to an offer that has been a dream of mine for the past year,” commented MacKellar.  “I feel that I will bring great energy and effort to the team in 2017.”

“I value my time in the gym just as much as my time on the field. I think it will be a fantastic fit for me under the wing of offensive guard Peter Godber; he has been a role model to get me to this point and has promoted me to the best of his abilities.”

As it is rare for a Maritime recruit to receive such a rare opportunity south of the border, the lineman is grateful and fortunate of how far he has come.

“I’m so proud to be given such a great opportunity as a player from the East Coast and this will be a memorable moment for the rest of my career and life,” added MacKellar.  “I proud to become a part of the Rice family and can’t wait to start my career as an Owl in 2017.”

Despite realizing his ultimate gridiron dream, MacKellar acknowledges that he would not have been able to get to this juncture in his career without the encouragement and support of several individuals.

“I would like to thank my family for their great support through everything,” expressed MacKellar.  “I would also like to thank the Sir John A. MacDonald coaching staff who formed me into a high school football player in my only year at John A.”

“I would like to thank Football Nova Scotia and Football Canada and all of the coaches for the work they’ve put in with me. Most importantly, I would like to thank Coach [Len] Gurr and the St. Andrew’s College coaching staff. Coach Gurr looked at me on my first day at St. Andrews College in August 2014 and told me if I wanted to Division 1 football it would be possible, but I would have to put in the work to achieve this final goal. He believed in me from the day that I came here and is thrilled over my decision with Rice. I would finally like to thank my strength coaches Jon Murray (St. Andrews) and Alan Wetmore (Ultimate Athlete Factory) for making me to learn to love the gym. They’ve made me stronger physically and mentally.”

(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)