HOLMES TOWNSHIP — Division I college scholarships are rare in most rural areas. This is especially true in football.
Wynford’s K.J. Kotalik has become this area’s most recent exception to the rule.
Kotalik signed his letter of intent last week to play for Western Michigan next fall.
“My FBS (offers) were from Western Michigan and Buffalo,” Kotalik said. “I had a couple of others — Eastern Kentucky, Valparaiso, Mercyhurst, Wagner.”
Western Michigan — located in Kalamazoo — participates in the Mid-American Conference, which includes six schools from Ohio. The Broncos finished 6-6 this year and will play in the Salute to Veterans Bowl against South Alabama (6-6) on December 14 in Montgomery, Alabama.
Kotalik’s size alone was enough to attract college offers. WMU recruited him for its offensive line and at 6-feet-8, 315 pounds, Kotalik is the prototypical O-lineman.
“I think K.J. has all the ability in the world to play Division I football,” Wynford coach Cyle Skidmore said. “With the family that he comes from and who he is, he’ll make the most of it and do things right.”
Skidmore noted that recruiting coaches said that you can’t teach size, which gave Kotalik a leg up.
“Size is a big thing (in recruiting),” Skidmore said. “When you see the guy, it’s like, ‘Holy smokes, this dude is gigantic.’ He looks like a Division I football player now and he’s a senior in high school.”
In addition, he was selected first-team Division VI all-Ohio offensive lineman and second-team defensive lineman. Earlier he was named second-team Northern 10 Athletic Conference and all-Northwest District.
What set Western Michigan apart from his other suitors was the welcome he received and the feeling of family.
“The thing that pushed me to choose Western Michigan over everyone else the hospitality (offensive line) Coach (Trevor) Mendelson and (head) Coach (Lance) Taylor showed me,” Kotalik said. “When I showed up at the facility, everybody on the coaching staff was waiting for me.”
WMU also has the academic credentials Kotalik is seeking. While he is still debating majoring in criminology or nursing, Western Michigan has solid programs in both.
Kotalik will be enrolling at WMU in January, availing himself of early entry.
“Enrolling early will definitely give me an advantage — learning the playbook and starting their lifting program early,” Kotalik said. “I don’t expect anything out of them. They didn’t guarantee me anything.”
Kotalik will need to make adjustments in college including a change in offensive schemes. He was told by their coaching staff that he was a “perfect fit” for them.
“I’ve got to make a name for myself in college,” Kotalik said. “I made one for myself in high school. Now, I have to do it all over again in college.”
“I think K.J. has a unique ability about him,” Skidmore said. “He’s a special football player. He’ll always be special on our football team, on our hearts.”