Keaton Hendricks utilizes his speed as well as any running back in the state.
It is what led the Zeeland West rusher to a record performance in the state championship game, and had him looking for a college program on the rise.
The Dux senior committed to Hope College on Wednesday, joining a Flying Dutchmen team that is coming off one of the team’s best seasons in school history and first NCAA Division III playoff victory.
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“I committed to Hope because of the culture, the great coaching staff and the great program all together,” Hendricks said. “I know I can count on everyone there to help be build myself up to my full potential.”
Hendricks was all-state first team as a running back after leading the Dux to the state championship, where he scored a record six touchdowns.
For the season, he had 146 rushes for 1,606 yards and 26 touchdowns, averaging 11 yards per carry.
His speed was never in doubt, but Hendricks became a well-rounded and stronger player as a senior, leading to Hope.
“This opportunity means so much to me to play at the next level because I didn’t really think about it much before the second half of this season,” Hendricks said. “But just all the coaches believing that there’s something special they see in me is a great confidence boost and I’m super excited to be able to show them what I can do for the team.”
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Zeeland West running back Keaton Hendricks will play at Hope College
