Dowagiac’s Brett Scanlon signed his national letter of intent with Western Michigan University Wednesday. He is pictured with his father John. (Leader photo/Provided)

The wait is finally over for Dowagiac senior Brett Scanlon.

After a long and sometimes trying recruiting process, Scanlon signed a national letter of intent to kick for Western Michigan University Wednesday afternoon.

One of the best kickers in the state of Michigan and highly regarded nationally, Scanlon was getting plenty of attention from recruiters throughout his junior and senior seasons.

Then all of a sudden, recruiters were backing off and not offering a full scholarship.

Scanlon, who also plays baseball, began receiving interest from Western Michigan and its new coaching staff about a month ago.

The Broncos kept after Scanlon and finally landed him.

“It was up and down,” Scanlon said of the process. “It was crazy at times. At times it was really high when I had a lot of schools interested and I was at a low point where I wasn’t sure I was going to get a scholarship.”

But in the end, Scanlon is pleased with his decision.

“It’s a great opportunity,” he said. “I just love the new coaching staff they brought in. They have been great through the whole recruiting process. When I went up there for my official visit, I was amazed by the enthusiasm of the coaching staff. I was also impressed by not only the team, but the way the community supports the team.”

Scanlon added that the Bronco coaching staff made it a point to let him know that he was their guy.

“A coach would visit once or twice a week,” Scanlon said. “I could really tell they wanted me.”

As a junior, Scanlon connected on 13-of-27 field goal attempts, including a school record 55-yarder, which ties him for third best in state history. He was 34-of-41 in PATs.

Last season, Scanlon was 6-of-15 in field goals, but eight of his nine misses were from at least 50 yards. He connected on 47-of-50 PATs.

In two seasons, Scanlon kicked 110 of his 137 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks.

Scanlon had been looking at schools like Michigan State, Southern Mississippi and Marshall before deciding on Western Michigan.

The closeness of the school was one of the deciding factors.

“If I want to come home on a given Sunday night and have dinner with my family I can,” he said. “All of my friends and family will be able to come watch me play.”

Scanlon is one of six kickers to be offered a full scholarship in Division 1.