"It's finally over," the Holland College football player said Feb. 3, moments after signing with the Acadia Axemen for the upcoming season.
"I weighed a whole bunch of options, lost a lot of sleep trying to figure out exactly where I was going to play for the next couple of years to finish up my collegiate career."
The Boston, Mass., receiver and return specialist - who described himself as elusive - said his reason for choosing Acadia was simple.
"Usually people go on a recruiting trip with a checklist, but no, not me. I actually went there just looking to feel at home. I wanted that feeling," he said.
McRae is one of three Hurricanes who will call Wolfville home at the end of this summer as they start their Atlantic University Sport careers.
Eugene McMinns was part of back-to-back Atlantic Football League (AFL) championship teams at Holland College.
Signing with Acadia was like a dream come true for the Bahamian receiver.
"I have been thinking about this day in and day out since I came here," said the converted defensive back. "Since I attended my first practice at Holland College in 2013 I heard about the prestigious and legendary Axemen, so it's an honour to be even be part of this today."
He knows playing at the next level won't be easy, but is ready for the test.
"I have the mindset to compete, I'm up for any challenge and I'm full of energy, so why not?" he said. "It starts off with hitting the gym properly and getting my body stronger."
Shelton Williams is the biggest of the trio. He's a six-foot-six, 304-pound offensive linemen. He played guard in high school, but has worked on his agility and now prefers left tackle.
"I want to make things happen. I think I can have a great impact on the team," he said.
Signing the paperwork Feb. 3 made the Bahamian think about his family.
"It was breathtaking," he said. "My family means the most to me. They were a big part of my decision."
Acadia head coach Jeff Cummins said the level of play in the AFL has increased during the past five years.
Watch a video of Cummins' discussing what the Hurricanes bring to Wolfville.
"The guys that are playing at this collegiate level continue to impress us," he said. "We're realizing that these guys are going to make the transition . . . sooner than we think."
The Axemen already have a couple players who played at Holland College, including defensive back Garvin Cius.
"It's been a great relationship for us," Cummins said. "It's a great synergy between the two and I look forward to it continuing for many years to come."
Acadia is still talking to some Hurricanes for the upcoming and following seasons.
The players' years at Holland College do not count against their Canadian Interuniversity Sport eligibility.
Acadia football also named a number of high school recruits Feb. 3: Nick Green, Prince Andrew High; Alex Hatina, from Napean, Ont.; Hunter Holab, Lively, Ont.; Tommy Grant, Citadel High; Spencer Unrau, St. Albert, Alta.; Holden Reid, Oromocto, N.B.; Brett Switzer, Oakville, Ont., and Morgan Laws, Lockview High.
VIDEO: Acadia football staff drove to Prince Edward Island in the aftermath of the Feb. 2 storm.
New recruits
A look at the Acadia Axemen's recently signed players from the Holland College Hurricanes.
Jaylen McRae
Age - 21.
Hometown - Boston, Mass.
Position - Receiver and returner.
Size - Six-foot-one, 185 pounds.
Eugene McMinns
Age – 21.
Hometown - Nassau, Bahamas.
Position - Receiver.
Size - Six feet, 195 pounds.
Shelton Williams
Age - 19.
Hometown - "Home is the Bahamas, actually, but home is going to be Acadia."
Position - Offensive line, but prefers left tackle.
Size - Six-foot-six, 304 pounds.
"It's finally over," the Holland College football player said Feb. 3, moments after signing with the Acadia Axemen for the upcoming season.
"I weighed a whole bunch of options, lost a lot of sleep trying to figure out exactly where I was going to play for the next couple of years to finish up my collegiate career."
The Boston, Mass., receiver and return specialist - who described himself as elusive - said his reason for choosing Acadia was simple.
"Usually people go on a recruiting trip with a checklist, but no, not me. I actually went there just looking to feel at home. I wanted that feeling," he said.
McRae is one of three Hurricanes who will call Wolfville home at the end of this summer as they start their Atlantic University Sport careers.
Eugene McMinns was part of back-to-back Atlantic Football League (AFL) championship teams at Holland College.
Signing with Acadia was like a dream come true for the Bahamian receiver.
"I have been thinking about this day in and day out since I came here," said the converted defensive back. "Since I attended my first practice at Holland College in 2013 I heard about the prestigious and legendary Axemen, so it's an honour to be even be part of this today."
He knows playing at the next level won't be easy, but is ready for the test.
"I have the mindset to compete, I'm up for any challenge and I'm full of energy, so why not?" he said. "It starts off with hitting the gym properly and getting my body stronger."
Shelton Williams is the biggest of the trio. He's a six-foot-six, 304-pound offensive linemen. He played guard in high school, but has worked on his agility and now prefers left tackle.
"I want to make things happen. I think I can have a great impact on the team," he said.
Signing the paperwork Feb. 3 made the Bahamian think about his family.
"It was breathtaking," he said. "My family means the most to me. They were a big part of my decision."
Acadia head coach Jeff Cummins said the level of play in the AFL has increased during the past five years.
Watch a video of Cummins' discussing what the Hurricanes bring to Wolfville.
"The guys that are playing at this collegiate level continue to impress us," he said. "We're realizing that these guys are going to make the transition . . . sooner than we think."
The Axemen already have a couple players who played at Holland College, including defensive back Garvin Cius.
"It's been a great relationship for us," Cummins said. "It's a great synergy between the two and I look forward to it continuing for many years to come."
Acadia is still talking to some Hurricanes for the upcoming and following seasons.
The players' years at Holland College do not count against their Canadian Interuniversity Sport eligibility.
Acadia football also named a number of high school recruits Feb. 3: Nick Green, Prince Andrew High; Alex Hatina, from Napean, Ont.; Hunter Holab, Lively, Ont.; Tommy Grant, Citadel High; Spencer Unrau, St. Albert, Alta.; Holden Reid, Oromocto, N.B.; Brett Switzer, Oakville, Ont., and Morgan Laws, Lockview High.
VIDEO: Acadia football staff drove to Prince Edward Island in the aftermath of the Feb. 2 storm.
New recruits
A look at the Acadia Axemen's recently signed players from the Holland College Hurricanes.
Jaylen McRae
Age - 21.
Hometown - Boston, Mass.
Position - Receiver and returner.
Size - Six-foot-one, 185 pounds.
Eugene McMinns
Age – 21.
Hometown - Nassau, Bahamas.
Position - Receiver.
Size - Six feet, 195 pounds.
Shelton Williams
Age - 19.
Hometown - "Home is the Bahamas, actually, but home is going to be Acadia."
Position - Offensive line, but prefers left tackle.
Size - Six-foot-six, 304 pounds.
