While America celebrated Independence Day, Muskogee Rougher wide receiver Kayden McGee had a different kind of celebration as he announced his commitment to play football for the Rebels of the University of Nevada Las Vegas in the fall of 2024.

McGee had nine college offers to pick from including Colorado State, Arkansas State, Montana and Southeast Missouri but felt being a Rebel was where he was meant to be.

“From the moment they offered me until the moment I committed, they stayed in touch with me every two or three days and when I went there it just felt like home,” said the Rougher senior-to-be. “They were true about what they were about. They want to rebuild the program and win some championships and I want to be a part of that.”

The announcement culminated a two-year effort of on-field excellence and an off field self-promotion campaign through social media by McGee.

“A lot of folks think I’m undersized for college ball, but UNLV wasn’t concerned about my size because they knew that would come and they just wanted to work with me.”

As McGee’s final season as a Rougher begins in less than two months, he knows what lays ahead and has some definite goals he would like to achieve.

“I know there’s a target on my back this year and I want to do what’s best for the community and when the big moments come, I want the ball in my hands. I want to continue to make history at Rougher Village. I had the first touchdown in the new place and this year I want to have at least 1000 yards receiving, have more touchdowns than last year (13), and, of course, win a gold ball.”