Blake Ellis/Local Journalism Initiative

Chase Porteous has his sights firmly set on a future in football.

The Grade 12 student at LCCVI attending the Recruit Nation Fort Lauderdale College Prospects Showcase on Jan. 28 – one of 150 players to participate and the only Canadian there, leading the coaches to dub him Canada.

He was invited to camp by one of the universities in Florida. The 6’5, 17-year-old offensive lineman has 45 offers from schools – from junior colleges, prep schools and Division 2 schools – to play for them starting in September.

His mom, Krista Porteous, who at one time feared he’d never find a sport he liked – has to use a spread sheet to keep it all straight.

“I now can see where a football career can take me,” said Porteous.

The teens time at the camp was a success on a couple of levels. Porteous had an offer from a Division 2 school during the football camp in Fort Lauderdale.

While the offer is exciting, what Porteous wants is to play for a Division 1 school – like the Big 10’s Michigan –hopefully on a full scholarship.

The Wolverines are his favourite team and it would be a dream to play for them, he says.

Based on how Porteous did at the combine, he might have a shot. He was recognized as one of the eight top performers at the camp and was given a four star rating out of a possible five. Porteous has been invited to participate in a future Dream All-American Bowl based on his performance at the football camp. The event will showcase some of the top college prospects.

Despite that, the coaches at the combine called Porteous who currently weighs in at 290 pounds, skinny. To play offensive lineman, coaches say he has to bulk up to a minimum of 320 pounds. If he stays around his current weight, he would be better suited as a tight end.

Porteous is working to meet expectations. He runs to the Y in Petrolia at 6 am to workout. He has a speed coach and a trainer and he eats two-and-half plates of food at each meal. He already went from 270 pounds to 290 pounds on the suggestion from his Sarnia Sturgeon coach.

Porteous has been playing with the Sturgeon of the Ontario Summer Football League since Grade 9. He also suited up for the LCCVI Lancers last fall and is set to play his last season for the Sturgeon this summer.

Meantime, Porteous – with his sights set on playing in a Division 1 program – will be attending Myrtle Beach Prep Collegiate. He hopes to increase his football skills and working to improve his GPA and hopefully be picked up by a Division 1 school after spending a year at Myrtle Beach.

He learned in Fort Lauderdale about just how serious football is taken in the United States. But it is not just football, but academics are emphasized as well. “It is God first, then school, then football, said Porteous.

Porteous wants a pro career and he knows only one per cent of American college athletes will eventually suit up in the NFL; but he’s taking his shot.
“If you leave a dream on your pillow, it will stay there,” said Porteous.