Northwest's Shatar McClay verbally commits to UMass football

Northwest High football star Shatar McClay has settled on a new school as the Vikings senior verbally committed to the University of Massachusetts Sunday, according to a Twitter post.

McClay re-opened his recruitment after he decommitted from the University of Tennessee last month. UMass was one of six schools to offer McClay a scholarship, joining Tennessee, Purdue, Indiana, Western Kentucky and Samford.

The 6-foot, 185 pound Northwest athlete is rated a three-star football player by 247sports.com. He initially made a verbal commit to Tennessee last April but decided to change course less than two months later.

Northwest High coach Vernon Wright told The Leaf-Chronicle last month that McClay would benefit by taking a more comprehensive approach to the recruiting process.

"I'm not speaking for Shatar. I just know that there is never a problem with any recruit who wants to explore his options," Wright said in a June 30 interview. "I kind of wish he would have done that before he committed the first time, but you know sometimes it's hard trying to get through to an 18-year-old mind."

Q and A: Vernon Wright talks Shatar McClay's recruitment, Northwest football

McClay was named to The Leaf-Chronicle/Legends Bank All Area Football Team after totaling 13 touchdowns. He had 36 receptions for 746 yards with a 19.6-yard average. He also finished with 21 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble as well as two punt return touchdowns.

UMass is one of four Independent Division I teams with Notre Dame, Army and BYU. As of last week, the Minutemen had only two commits and ranks 112th nationally in the 247sports.com composite ranking.

Reach Prep writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com or (931) 245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.