Prospect's Kennedy to Miami U.

Matt Kennedy believed he could play Division I football.

It came to fruition Thursday when the Prospect senior two-way lineman made a verbal commitment to Miami University in Ohio.

"Since I started high school football my dream was to play Division I football," Kennedy said. "My dream has finally turned to reality."

The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Kennedy was an all-conference pick as a guard and defensive end. He is receiving a delayed full scholarship that goes into effect January, 2009, so he will redshirt and be allowed to practice in the fall.

Akron offered Kennedy the opportunity to be a "grayshirt," which would not have allowed him to practice before getting a scholarship. Kennedy said Western Illinois also made a scholarship offer and Illinois State expressed some interest.

But Kennedy, who plans to study business, has a 4.2 grade point average on a 5.0 scale and a 24 ACT, felt at home at Miami.

"Once I visited the campus I got along great with the guys," Kennedy said. "It's a great campus and it seemed to fit me perfectly. I knew I'd be able to spend the next four or five years of my life there.

"It feels good to have a place to go and know where my home is going to be."

Miami lost to Central Michigan in the Mid-American Conference championship game. Kennedy hopes to be competing for major playing time as a redshirt sophomore.

"They want to put a lot of weight on me, which will depend on whether I play O-line or D-line," Kennedy said. "They're looking at me for O-line. It's a great opportunity for me."