Eleven Student-Athletes Commit to Colleges to Continue Their Athletic Pursuits

All football season, McCallie senior running back Keylan Syam waited for the phone call, for the offer of a shot to play college football. Through 1,431 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns in the regular season. Through the playoffs and his MVP performance in the 27-21 Division II-AAA state title win over Baylor, when he scored three touchdowns, including the game winner, and rushed for 175 yards.

Somehow, the calls and offers never came. Finally, on Wednesday afternoon, April 30, Syam got the offer he was looking for. He committed to the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, just over the Tennessee border on I-75 north of Knoxville.

“It’s such a blessing,” Syam. “I was scared I wouldn’t get one. I was only a starter for one year and not a lot of people knew about me. I’ve been working really hard on this. The coaches there were great, always stayed in touch with me. This means everything to my mom and me.”

Syam was one of 11 McCallie student-athletes to commit to continue to play their top sports at a college or university at an April 30 ceremony in Alumni Hall. 

Two senior basketball players will continue their careers in college. Kaleb Gallman will lend his shooting touch to Ohio Dominican University. Kylik Mathews will spend the next two years 30 minutes up I-75 at Cleveland State Community College.

Mason Carver will continue his baseball career at Union Commonwealth University. Syam’s football teammate, Sean Couvertiere, will play at Dickinson College. Henry Imorde will play tennis at Washington and Lee. Ethan Provost has signed a Division I scholarship to row for San Diego University, and Ryan Rodriguez will play soccer for Lynn University.

Cross country runner Henry Edwards plans to continue participating in that sport at the U.S. Military Academy. Swimmers Logan Carroll and Zach Schurr will swim at Berry College and Kutztown State University respectfully.

“We’re so proud of all these young men,” said athletic director Kenny Sholl. “It isn’t easy competing in these sports and maintaining the academic standards we require here. So proud of all of them and know they’ll do great things in college.”