Martinsburg, West Virginia, native Kamden Shallis could not keep a smile off his face when he spoke to West Virginia head coach Neal Brown last week. Shallis, a high school junior earned an offer from West Virginia and to him it is all a dream come true.
“All I could do was smile when Coach Brown shook my hand and told me about the offer,” Shallis said.
Kamden Shallis grew up a Mountaineer fan. He and his family would travel to Morgantown to catch games and to also visit with family. That is why last weekend everything came full circle during his most recent trip to WVU.
“As a kid WVU games were a way for me to get to see some of my family members that live throughout the state so those were always great moments but honestly my most memorable game was my game day visit when we played Virginia Tech this year,” Shallis said.
Shallis attended a camp at WVU last weekend and was able to earn an offer. The linebacker from Martinsburg High School said the camp went well and it was a great experience.
“The camp went really well! Getting to work with coach Koonz was an awesome experience and when we got into competitions I did really well. I feel that with my junior year performance along with how I did at camp earned me that offer but it definitely was a process but it payed off,” Shallis said.
For most kids who grow up playing football in West Virginia, their dream is to attend WVU. For Shallis, the WVU connection runs through his blood and he couldn’t help but think of this offer as a dream come true.
“Not only am I an in-state kid almost all of my family are alumni of WVU! I grew up going to WVU games and it was always a dream to play for WVU! Like I said earlier I couldn’t stop smiling after coach brown talked to me,” Shallis said.
Shallis is a 5-foot-11, 205-pound linebacker and fullback, but was looked at by WVU as a linebacker. West Virginia inside linebackers and special teams coach Jeff Koonz helped offer Shallis.
“My favorite part about being a linebacker is you get to do a little bit of everything. It’s such a versatile position and playing linebacker has given me the opportunity to play an even bigger role as a leader on my team,” Shallis said. “My mindset on the field is to not back down from anything and get to the ball. With that being said my dad has always told me Don’t get too high don’t get too low so while I’m always excited to play I don’t let my emotions get the best of me.”
Getting to this point has not been easy for Shallis. He said his dad has helped push him and give him opportunities to chase his dreams.
“My dad is my best friend he’s always been there for me pushing me. I’m so appreciative for everything he’s done for me! I told him my dreams and he showed me what must be done to accomplish them. Not only have I worked my butt off for this but so has he. He’s driven me countless miles to colleges and has emailed and talked to so many coaches. That’s why this offer means so much because I’m doing this for more than just me,” he said.
As for what is next, WVU is one of two Division I schools to have offered Shallis. Along with Presbyterian College, Shallis has learned to be patient throughout the whole process.
“The recruitment process has been good. It’s a long process so I’ve learned you got to keep your head up and be patient. My interest has always been high with WVU even before the offer so with them believing in me and wanting me is a huge honor.”
Shallis said he knows what it is like to be a Mountaineer fan and wants the fan base to know how special they are.
“As a WVU fan I’m one of them. I’ve just been blessed with the opportunity to play for the Mountaineers. There is no other fan base like ours and I want them to know that they are getting a hard worker, and someone loves their home state and can’t wait to get to work!”
And as for the possibility of committing to his home state’s university, Shallis said it would be hard to say no, but he is still surveying his options.
“I have Ivy League schools showing interest, so I’ll see what they have to offer but it’s definitely hard to pass up the opportunity I’ve been awarded.”
