Fairbanks High School senior Dakota Key (front row, center) prepares to sign to play football at NCAA Division II Lake Erie College. He is pictured in the front row with his parents, Brad and Jennifer. In the back row from left are his grandmother Janet Debeni, brother Austin Key and Fairbanks head coach Patrick Cotter. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Will play on D-line for D-II Lake Erie College
Wednesday was National Signing Day (late date) for high school football players who will continue their gridiron careers on the collegiate level.
Although the big-time programs of The Ohio State University, Clemson, Alabama and Oklahoma are among the schools whose recruits receive the most publicity, there are plenty of additional athletes to go around to smaller institutions.
With several strokes of a pen, Fairbanks High School senior Dakota Key committed to NCAA Division II Lake Erie College on Wednesday.
The school is located in the northeastern part of the state in Painesville, Ohio.
“It’s a relatively young program,” said Key. “I think they started only about 12 years ago.”
The Storm play such teams as Mercyhurst, Hillsdale College, Walsh, Tiffin, Findlay and Ohio Dominican.
They struggled to a 3-8 record during the 2019 campaign.
“I had looked at Ohio Wesleyan and Ohio Dominican,” said Key, whose father Brad is an assistant coach on Fairbanks’ football staff. “Lake Erie has a nice campus and I like the coaches.
“I feel like I’m wanted there.”
Key, who is 6-1 and weighs 245 pounds, played on both the offensive and defensive lines as the Panthers finished with a 6-4 record during the 2019 season.
He was recruited to play on the defensive line for the Storm.
“They’ve got two guys coming back on the defensive line, so they are looking for more to play in those spots,” said Key. “I will have an opportunity to play next fall as a freshman, but there are no guarantees.
“However, I feel like I can bring some relief help to the line as a freshman,” said the four-year FHS starter.
While Key was a key leader for the Panthers the past few years, he realizes he will have to begin once again at the bottom on the collegiate gridiron chain.
“It will feel a little weird starting all over again as a freshman,” he said.
Key earned first-team honors in the Ohio Heritage Conference last season and was named to the Division VI honorable mention list in the Central District.
He finished with 26 total tackles, of which 14 went for losses.
Key came up with three sacks, one fumble recovery and scored a defensive touchdown.
“Dakota has been a fantastic guy to coach the past four years,” said Fairbanks head coach Patrick Cotter. “He’s been very coachable.”
Cotter praised Key not only for his gridiron prowess, but also his work in the classroom.
“You are a proud coach when they play ball, but we are also proud of Dakota for what he has done academically,” said the FHS coach.
Key plans on staying active with the game of football after his playing days are over..
He will study sports management with the hopes of coaching college football in the future.