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Gridiron star headed to Western

While many people try to sheds some weight for the summer Mason Kett is doing the exact opposite. The 18-year-old Northern Collegiate grad hopes to add 20 pounds before joining the Western University football program in London this fall.
Kett, Mason
Mason Kett is preparing to suit up for the Western Mustangs this football season. London Junior Mustangs photo

While many people try to sheds some weight for the summer Mason Kett is doing the exact opposite.

The 18-year-old Northern Collegiate grad hopes to add 20 pounds before joining the Western University football program in London this fall.

Kett, currently 6 foot 2 and 220 pounds, says the additional weight could help him switch from linebacker, the position he played with the Vikings, to defensive end with the Mustangs.

“My speed and my intensity is what got me recruited,” he said, noting that the defensive end position in today's game is a hybrid involving both pass rushing and dropping back into coverage.

“I'll need to get bigger to play in the CFL, which is one of my goals, so I might as well start now.”

Kett's journey to Western began when he tried out for Team Ontario last year.

He was recruited by the Mustangs while playing at the Canada Cup in New Brunswick and subsequently invited to play for the Junior Mustangs squad in London, a feeder team in the Ontario Varsity Football League.

According to the league website, Kett is third in defensive points with the Mustangs this season with 17 solo tackles, 25 tackle assists, two sacks and a fumble recovery in seven games at presstime.

The decision to tryout for Team Ontario was a last-minute one, “and as it turns out it was one of the best decisions I've ever made,” said Kett.

He’ll miss training camp next month due to a scope to repair torn ligaments in his left ankle, but he remains confident he'll see playing time this season at Western.

“I know it's a tough lineup to crack, but it comes down to how well you perform on the field,” he said.

“I'm open to any position on the field, including playing special teams. I love playing special teams. That's where games are changed a lot of the time.”

Kett says the coaching staff has told him he has the potential to be both a starter with the Mustangs and become an All-Canadian, if he puts in the work.

He'll be joined on the Mustangs roster this season by Sarnia's Mitchell Smiley.

Smiley, a running back, was a teammate of Kett at Northern.

- Barry Wright


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