PORTAGE, MI –– From the time he was in eighth grade, Charlie Jilek had his mind made up that he was going to play football on the game’s biggest stage.

And no stage is much bigger than Texas.

With a hell-bent mindset and an unmatched work ethic, Jilek turned his cherished dream into a reality, officially putting pen to paper and signing to play football for Texas during college football’s early signing period on Wednesday –– all in front of a large crowd of family, friends and coaches at Portage Central High School.

“Ever since I was little, I dreamed of playing on the biggest stage and proving myself,” Jilek said. “That’s what I’ve always wanted to do. To play at Texas, it’s a dream come true for me. It’s different than going to any other SEC school.

“There’s nothing bigger than (Texa

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