(8-15-26) Six Oberlin football athletes will be able to play football this season at Wellington thanks to the newly enacted Student Athlete Mobility (SAM) Act in Ohio.

Recently Oberlin canceled their 2026 football season due to low numbers. But thanks to the SAM act they will now be able to join rival Wellington and play this season.

From WKYC-

6 high school football players lost their season before it began, then a rival team gave them another chance to play

Wellington head coach Rob Howells—

We’re trying something new, and I’m kind of proud to be a pioneer.

I tell these guys all the time I have two goals: Make you better football player but then also make you a better man, a better future father, husband, community member.”

Wellington Captain Tyler Burns—

“How I look at it, you know — we’re bringing them in, so that’s really nice. But at the end of the day, I’m a Wellington Duke, and they’re a Wellington Duke now too.”

Oberlin Senior Jaden Brown—

“It’s difficult to explain, but I’m just happy that I’m here to be able to rep both Oberlin and Wellington at the same time.”

Wellington’s first game is scheduled for Aug. 21 at Collins Western Reserve.

Related

NEW 2026-27 Student Athlete Mobility (SAM) Act Guidance

Oberlin HS Cancels 2026 Football Season

Ironic moment…

Oberlin was the scheduled week 3 opponent for Wellington.