Class 2012: David Fennell; from Calgary to Oregon to Michigan… State (Video)

This 6’3”, 265lb defensive lineman started his football career in Calgary. He and his father made the move to Oregon last year which gave him a better platform to get recognized, and get recognized is what he did. David Fennell has committed to play football next year for the Michigan State Spartans.

David Fennell

Position:

Defensive Tackle, Defensive End, Offensive Guard

Height & Weight:

6’3”, 265lbs

Teams:

Sunset High School (Senior Year- Oregon)
Rundle College High School (Calgary)
Calgary Wildcats (Atom-Midget)

Commitment:

Michigan State University

Class:

2012

Since birth David Fennell has been in a more advantageous position then most when it comes to football. He is the son of former Edmonton Eskimo, and current CFL Hall-of-Famer Dave Fennell. With this lineage it is easy to see where he gets his physical stature from, but David has inherited a lot more than just size. He has also grown up to have a love and knowledge of the game, as well as a nose for the football that not all are born with. That being said, not all sons of former football greats go on to follow in their fathers’ footsteps. David’s love for the game might be what has kept him going strong.

“I love football because of what it can teach. Determination, team work and commitment are all things that I have learned from this game,” says David.

David is officially committed… but that is not where this story starts. This road began about eight years ago back in Atom football, and there was no looking back from there. It all started here in Calgary with the Wildcats organization. From the moment that he started playing this game it was apparent that he had some natural ability. Fennell continued to play for the Wildcats organization and continued to grow as a player through every level of Minor football that Calgary had to offer.

Eventually it came time for David to choose a high school. Obviously, being a player of his calibre and lineage, David was “recruited” by a few different schools. In the end he chose to attend and play at Rundle College High School. While playing high school football here in Calgary he continued to play at a very high level but just before David’s senior year something changed. Not his level of play, but his location. David’s father had to move to Oregon due to work, and David went with him. In Oregon he attended Sunset High School, which is where he played his final year of high school football for the Apollos.

“The transition from my grade eleven season to my grade twelve season was certainly the biggest of my career so far… There were a few new rules to learn and the average skill level of players, in my view, increased… but that being said I learned a lot,” says David.

The learning curve would be a lot for the average player but David took it in stride. He grew as a football player and was rather successful. In his senior season David Fennell won Defensive Player of the Year for the Metro League and Defensive Player of the Year for the Apollos. He was named to the first team defensive line for the Metro League, and first team defensive line All-State!

With all the success Fennell had in Oregon it was obvious that he had made the right choice to go with his father. David was once again being recruited, but it wasn’t by high schools in Calgary this time. Division one universities started to come calling on the young Canadian. David was being pursued the most by The University of Iowa, The University of Louisville, and Michigan State University.

He was faced with a big decision, but in the end he chose to become a Spartan. There were many factors that played into this decision, but one thing stood out above everything to David.

“The most memorable football experience I’ve had was going to East Lansing and seeing the facilities at MSU,” says Fennell.

With such a huge decision to be made it is understandable for someone to look to others for guidance. This is something that David has always been lucky to have. In life and in football he has had some great guiding hands.

“The most influential people in my life are my parents, and a close family friend name Don Matthews. Don has helped me out greatly with football.”

Yes, that is Don Matthews the CFL coach and current Hall of Famer.

Now with everything that has come to pass the only thing left to do is look to the uncertain future. Well, that and put in work. David has some goals for the coming years, both in relation to academics and football.

“In school I plan to take Civil Engineering. Right now for football my goals are to improve my lifts and combine stats and to continue to learn as much about the game as possible. I just want to improve as much as I can.”