NATCHEZ — The dominos detailing Michael Whitley’s athletic and academic future finally fell in place Saturday morning when Whitley signed the dotted line to play at Lakeland College in Wisconsin.

Whitley, who was considering Louisiana College also, ultimately picked Lakeland because of the offensive-minded concepts the NCAA Division III Muskies presented to him.

“It’s a better opportunity,” Whitley said. “I can go in and play right away. They’re looking at me to come in and play quarterback, and that’s what I wanted to play.”

Zach Rogel, who coached Whitley in baseball and watched him quarterback his team to a state championship win, said Whitley’s signing was a great event for Trinity not only because of his athletic prowess but because he was the true definition of a leader.

“He’s a special guy,” Rogel said. “As great of an athlete he is, he’s an even better person.”

Lakeland College’s offensive coordinator contacted Rogel about Whitley with hopes of making Whitley a viable option for their starting quarterback position in the fall. When word reached Whitley, he took a few months to lull over his options and decided he would go with the team that gave him an opportunity to do what he wanted — play quarterback at the next level.

Because Lakeland’s offensive system is similar to the offense former Trinity head coach Josh Loy ran at Trinity in the Saints’ state championship run last season, Whitley felt the Muskers would use his mobility in the pocket.

Rogel said Whitley’s athleticism and offensive tools will help him transition smoothly to the next level.

“People see Michael as a hybrid player, but they want to use his skillset for quarterback, and I believe that’s where he’ll thrive,” Rogel said.

Whitley, who averaged a 3.5 GPA at Trinity since transferring from Vidalia, said his ambitions of winning a state championship and signing to play at the next level gives him an indescribable feeling.

“You think it’s all a dream at first, but then, it’s like man, this is reality, this is actually happening,” Whitley said.