North Bay's Will McCharles is taking his talents to the University of Western Ontario in London to join one of the top USports football programs in the nation.
The 18-year-old tight end, who has competed with Football North in Toronto the past two seasons, last played football on home soil with the St. Joseph-Scollard Hall Bears Junior Team back in the fall of 2019 where he recorded seven touchdowns and over 500 receiving yards.
See related: Local player heading south to pursue his football dreams
McCharles will join former West Ferris Trojans star wide receiver James Piper with the Mustangs who captured a Vanier Cup back in 2021.
After doing a number of recruiting visits McCharles felt Western was the right fit.
"It’s truly an honour to become a Mustang," said McCharles, whose brother Marshall is a Sudbury Wolves draft pick having a great year with the Sudbury Cubs of the NOJHL.
"I knew this was a place I wanted to be ever since they started recruiting me after the season. And after going on a visit in January, I knew this was a place like no other."
McCharles believes this is the right school for him to become a successful student-athlete.
"The campus environment, the football facilities, and the support Western university has around their football team and players are some of the main reasons why I chose the school," said McCharles.
"I’m so excited to learn and grow around such a great coaching staff that I know will develop me into the best football player and person I can be."