AMHERST — Jake Kennedy treated the recruiting process like he was shopping for a new pair of shoes — he was looking for the most comfortable fit.

Kennedy, an 18-year-old senior at Souhegan High School, found what he was looking for at the University of New Hampshire.

After sorting through seven scholarship offers, Kennedy, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound tackle, committed to UNH after the school’s victory over Central Connecticut State on Saturday. Kennedy said he expects to play somewhere on the offensive line.

“I knew UNH was going to be a very comfortable place for me,” Kennedy said. “I love the school and I know the football program is great. They win a lot of games, and staying in-state was definitely a factor for me.

“I also felt very comfortable with Coach McDonnell (UNH head coach Sean McDonnell). With him it’s what you see is what you get.”

Kennedy also has scholarship offers from Massachusetts, Colgate, Fordham, Holy Cross, Maine and Rhode Island. He said he strongly considered Fordham and UMass as well.

“They were both a close second, but I always felt more comfortable at UNH,” Kennedy said. “I’ve wanted to go there for a while. I was just waiting to see what else might come along.”

Kennedy, who also plays varsity basketball, is the second Souhegan player to accept a scholarship offer from UNH since Mike Beliveau took over as the program’s head coach in 1995. Running back Sean Jellison played at UNH from 2006 to 2010 after a record-setting career with the Sabers. Jellison set the state record for career touchdowns (103), touchdowns in a season (41) and career rushing yardage (5,890) while he was at Souhegan.

Jellison’s younger brother, Steve, also received a scholarship offer from UNH, but elected to play Division III football at Amherst College instead.

“Jake did all he could in terms of being thorough and diligent in terms of looking at all of the schools,” Beliveau said. “I don’t know if he’ll project to be an offensive tackle or an offensive guard, but he moves real well for a 280-pound kid. He’s a finisher in terms of his blocking. He doesn’t take a play off. He plays hard on every play.

“I think he made his decision based on a combination of things: his relationship with the coaches, the fact that UNH has been a winning program for the last dozen or so years, and that when UNH has lined up against (FBS) opponents they have a pretty darn good record. One of the first times I brought him over to a UNH spring practice he liked the way the coaches coached. He liked coach Mac’s style.

“I also think the fact that his family will have the chance to see him play was a factor.

Kennedy said Beliveau was a huge help throughout the process.

“I owe a lot to him,” Kennedy said. “He’s the one who got my name out there.

“This is a big weight off my shoulders.”