Latas Mack is Kean-bound
The recruiting process was not a smooth one for Immaculata standout Ish Mack. Division I schools expressed early interest, but that interest waned, and then disappeared altogether. Mack considered walking on at Rutgers, but that opportunity was also nixed.
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"To be honest, I was disappointed (to not go D-1)," Mack said. "It's everyone's dream and I thought it too, if you don't go D-1, you can't go to the NFL."
Now, however Mack has found new perspective. After a long and winding journey, Mack has selected his college destination. He will stay in-state and attend Kean University, which he selected over Towson and East Stroudsburg.
"In the end, stuff happens along that road to go Division I and it happened to me," Mack said. "Not everyone gets a chance to play football after high school, so it's not going to bother me if it's D-II or D-III.
"Personally it was an up and down process for me, all three were really interested in me. In the end, Kean was interested at the beginning and stayed interested when other schools fell off. It's close to home and it's a perfect fit: academically and athletically."
One advantage Kean held over Mack's other options was head coach Dan Garrett. Mack stated that Garrett compares favorably to his high school coach, Pierce Frauenheim.
"Coach Garrett, he's just like Coach F," Mack said. "He teaches teamwork and family and he's a winner. He's a great guy; he stayed in touch with me and always responded when I reached out to him. I like his motives for football. He's improving the program and the facilities every year."
From an academic standpoint, Kean will give Mack the opportunity to choose between two unique programs to major in.
"It's between two that I like: Hotel Management and Theater and Acting," Mack said. "With acting, it goes back to when I was younger. I did a lot of schools plays in middle school and I am a good actor. Hotel Management, I just find it interesting. I became interested in it because of my Pop Warner Coach, and it is something I think I'd like to pursue."
Mack, a 5-foot-10 burner, says he began expanding his repertoire last fall in preparation for the next level.
"Everyone knows of me as electric, flashy and fast," Mack said. "I agree with that; once I get that corner, you're most likely not catching me. But I put on some pounds for my senior year, and I started going North-South a little more. I describe myself as a hard runner. I wanted to diversify myself as a North-South runner."
Perhaps the biggest appeal of playing at Kean is the close proximity of Kean Alumni Stadium to many of Mack's closest friends and family.
"It will be cool, all my family and friends that are within 30-45 minutes can attend," he said. "Even my high school coaches can come. They're all excited.
"I love the game of football and I love playing in front of my family. I'm looking forward to it."