McElroy finds a home for the future at Marist

Andrew McElroy has defied the odds of gaining Division 1 attention from college programs despite coming from a small, public school in New Jersey.Many college programs thought McElroy did not have the right frame to play at the Division 1 level.  He has seen the ups and downs of the college football recruiting process first hand.

McElroy became the first New Milford football player in more than 15 years to land a scholarship offer from a Division 1 football program. First came Stetson, followed by Moorehead State, Wagner, and Marist.

On Tuesday, less than 72 hours after his official visit to Marist, McElroy verbally committed to the Red Foxes.

“I guess if I had to chose one word I’d probably say its been extremely stressful. But its been a learning process,” McElroy said of the recruiting process.

Andrew McElroy

McElroy’s official visit to Marist on Sunday marked a new beginning. Something he could see himself becoming a part of.

“I was thinking to myself, that is a place where I feel like I want to go,” he said.

McElroy enjoyed the facilities, and said he could see himself spending the next four years with the recruits who visited Marist on that day as well.

The 6’1, 190 pound athlete, who played primarily wide receiver and linebacker in high school, will take on a new position at Marist; safety.

McElroy, who carries a 3.8 GPA, feels that he has the tools to take on the new position.

“I feel like I have pretty decent ball skills and they want me playing more of a strong safety skills. I’ll be able to use what I’ve learned through my years at linebacker. They want me to play in a hybrid safety type way,” he said.

McElroy did not receive interest from Marist until the middle of his senior season when offensive coordinator Nate Fields came across McElroy’s film.

“Coach Fields from Marist started to reach out to me probably during the season this year,” he said.

“I went on my official and I really just fell in love with it. I love the coaches, the campus, and I just fell in love with it right when I got there,” he said.

McElroy was won over by the welcoming attitude of the football players along with the scenery the school has to offer.

“I love the facilities and the guys in general. I hung out with some guys on the football team and the other recruits that were there for the visit and I just felt like I could spend the next four years with them,” he said.

McElroy bonded with Bergen County athletes Hackensack linebacker Mike Sanchez and St. Joseph Regional safety Devin Cividini and saw them commit to Marist on his official visit. .

“I was thinking to myself, that is a place where I feel like I want to go,” he said.

McElroy’s high school assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at New Milford, coach Preston Lawyer, believes Marist is a great fit for McElroy.

“Marist is good school for Andrew because the pioneer league is great on academics, it’s an excellent school, and they were high on him and showed it,” Lawyer said.

Lawyer believes that McElroy has physical and mental tools to translate to the college level. He also believes McElroy’s vision on the field will enable him to succeed at Marist.

“Position wise, he’s a great get because he can play outside linebacker or a free safety who can blitz like a linebacker or easily drop back into coverage,” he said.

McElroy hopes to study something in business at Marist.