An Airdrie Football star will soon take his talents to Hamilton, Ontario after accepting an offer to play for McMaster University next fall.

Bennett Thompson was a standout receiver with the George McDougall Mustangs and Airdrie Raiders before graduating in 2015.

After looking at several schools in the country, Thompson says it was McMaster's reputation that drew him to choose them.

"They're well known for being a great academic school. The whole atmosphere of the team was different from what I've had the last couple years. It's a much younger team where as the past couple (teams) I've played for have been older, more veteran teams. It bodes well for what's going to happen the next couple years."

Since completing the Midget Raiders football program, Thompson spent some time with the University of Calgary Dinos and the Calgary Colts of the CJFL. This year, Thompson has had a chance to practice with the Calgary Stampeders, which he says was a great experience.

When it comes to his success as a football player, he owes a lot of that to the many coaches he's worked under.

"My Dad wasn my receivers coach my entire career up until my post secondary. He's helped me a ton since then. Coach Kemp and Coach Snoop with the Colts and with the Raiders, then my Mustangs coaches as well."

McMaster has one of the most storied football programs in Ontario University Athletics (OUA). Finishing in the top five every year since 2009 and winning the Vanier Cup National Championship in 2011.

They have boasted several CFL players including current Calgary Stampeder Ben D'Aguilar and former NFL prospect Jesse Lumsden.

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