PAHOKEE – The first official week of Geoffrey McKelton’s senior year is here.
Just like everyone else in his class, the Pahokee standout is wondering if he will get one more chance to improve his college recruiting stock on the gridiron. This is a valid point for McKelton, even though the 6-foot, 170-pound athlete already has offers from Indiana and South Florida.
McKelton spoke with WPTV-Channel 5 News this past week on the situation at hand.
“We live off football,” McKelton said. “If we don’t have football, what can we do?”
At this moment, no Palm Beach County public school program is permitted to start practices. This is primarily due to the fact that all public school students and teachers are in virtual school mode – at least until sometime later this month.
Palm Beach County is currently in Phase 1 of the state’s reopening plan, but could advance to Phase 2 as early as next week. County officials are considering options for the best and safest way to get the School District of Palm Beach County’s brick-and-mortar buildings back up and running.
In short: No football for Pahokee or any other public school until students can get back to their campuses safely.
“It’s been kind of hard,” McKelton said of his uncertain situation, which has been caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic we are in. “I want to get back on the field.”
Provided it does eventually happen, McKelton will be in a happy place.
With all that said, the Muck’s No. 1 overall player and Palm Beach County’s No. 27 overall player has also gained interest from Tulane, Georgia State, and Princeton.
In short, McKelton will most likely be going somewhere to play college football next year and beyond.
“Someone is going to believe in me and they won’t regret it,” McKelton said.
McKelton had a very good junior season for the Blue Devils, as he racked up 63 tackles, 6 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, and 1 touchdown in 12 games played. His play helped Pahokee reach the Class 1A state semifinals in 2019.
To sum it up, McKelton has done more than enough to earn a college scholarship. His Hudl film is clear proof of that at the very least.
Regardless of how this upcoming season unfolds, McKelton believes his best is yet to come.
“I have been keeping to myself grinding on the low,” McKelton said. “My time is coming.”
PHOTO CREDITS: WPTV-Channel 5
