McLellan signs to play football at Hutchinson

Mitchell McLellan signed his letter of intent to play football at Hutchinson Community College on Wednesday at Louisburg High School. Sitting next to Mitchell (from left) are his brother Kyle McLellan, mother Angi McLellan and father Wade McLellan. Standing (from left) is Louisburg head football coach Kyle Littrell and assistant Robert Ebenstein. 

Mitchell McLellan, like many others, had dreams of eventually playing college football one day.

For McLellan, it was a game he has loved since he was little. Now, McLellan’s dream is on the verge of becoming a reality.

Alongside his family, McLellan made it official Wednesday as he signed his letter of intent to play football at Hutchinson Community College. Although he took a few other trips, he couldn’t imagine playing anywhere else than in Hutchinson.

“They are just a winning program,” McLellan said. “They have won six bowl games in the past seven years and they produce athletes. If I want to continue playing football after Hutch, then this is the school that will help me get to that bigger program.”

McLellan took visits to other area schools like Coffeyville and Fort Scott, but he liked where he fit with the Blue Dragon program.

The Louisburg senior was a starting wide receiver and cornerback for the Wildcats this past season, but the Blue Dragon coaches see him as a wide receiver at the college level.

“Hutch just felt like the right fit for me,” McLellan said. “The coaches were awesome and their program stood out. Their weight program was great, the school was great and their team – they win. I want to be on a team that wins.

“It all comes down to who are the best athletes and who really wants to be on the field. I feel like I can compete with those guys and there is no doubt in my mind that I can.”

Mitchell McLellan hauls in a catch during a game earlier this season. McLellan will play football at Hutchinson Community College beginning this fall.

McLellan had a lot of success for the Wildcats this past season at wide receiver. He was an honorable mention all-Frontier League selection with 29 catches for 537 yards and five touchdowns.

He also played well on the defensive side. McLellan was a first-team all-league player at cornerback with 54 tackles, including 35 solo stops. He also had two tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception.

“I’m very proud of Mitchell,” Louisburg coach Kyle Littrell said. “I’m not sure that going into the season that Mitchell thought he could play at the next level.  I watched him run routes in the summer and hone his craft as a wide receiver.

“The thing that I like about Mitchell is he has the frame to easily put on 25-30 pounds of muscle.  As long as Mitchell takes to Hutch that same love of the game and dedication to get better every day, he will work himself into a quality receiver for the Blue Dragons.”

Although he is done putting on a Wildcat uniform, McLellan will never forget his time playing for Louisburg High School and the memories he took away from it.

“It has been an unbelievable four years for me,” McLellan said. “The chemistry has been great and the environment you get around the coaches and the players is that everyone is family. That is going to be the hardest part is leaving my family. I love those boys and not being out on the field on Friday nights anymore – I am going to miss it. I can’t explain it. When you are out there on the field, doing work, it is just the greatest feeling you could ever have.”