I’ve always wanted to put smiles on people’s faces.
Prioritizing spending time with people and making them happy was something my parents instilled in me from a young age.
My mom always reminded me about the Golden Rule, and I guess serving in my community is my way of treating others with the kindness I’ve been blessed to receive.
I didn’t realize my collegiate football career would connect me with so many opportunities to serve in Memphis, but I’m grateful it’s a part of my story.
And I’m excited to share more about how I got here.
Growing Up
I was born and raised in Winona, Mississippi.
My dad served in the military, so we’d often go stretches without seeing him, which was hard.
Still, he was and is my biggest role model.
He loved his job, and he worked hard to protect us.
His passion for his career echoed my excitement for football.
We connected on that.
My mom wanted me to focus on basketball, but my dad bought me a Southern Miss football jersey and helmet when I was a little kid, and I fell in love with the game.
I started playing Pee Wee ball in fourth grade.
Before I even fully knew what football was going to be for me, I was excited to be along for the ride.
I remember the exact moment when I told my friends I was going to the NFL one day.
I had no idea how I’d make that happen, but I knew that playing football at the next level was my goal.
When I was younger, I was open to playing anywhere.
But when it came time for college, I found myself caught in a whirlwind.
I originally committed to play at Ole Miss.
I was ecstatic.
But then, my plans changed.
The coach who recruited me was fired, so I lost my scholarship offer on signing day.
I was devastated, and I had to decommit.
But, if I could go back and give advice to my younger self at this moment, I’d tell them to work hard and have fun.
The best offers I received came when I finally let myself enjoy the process.
And that’s when I visited Memphis and was offered a spot.
I connected really well with Coach Clark on my visit, and my parents held a lot of respect for the program.
I chose the Tigers and never looked back.
Coming Back
I played my freshman season then redshirted my sophomore year after injuring my MCL during a scrimmage.
I worked hard to rehab my injury, and I came back the next season with a new sense of purpose.
My physical therapist, Monica Baker, was instrumental in helping me get back on the field. She knew how badly I wanted to recover, so she kept me challenged and focused on my exercises until I regained my strength to return to the weight room.
I was ready to make a name for myself on the field, and I was going to do whatever it took to help my team win.
I’ve also gone through several position changes at Memphis.
I played quarterback in high school, then switched to running back and now cornerback at Memphis.
It was tough transitioning from offense to defense because it felt like I started over, going back to basics, but I’ve enjoyed the challenge.
I just want to help my team out in whatever role I can.
I’ve always tried to help off the field, too.
Investing in My Community
I’ve been involved in community service ever since I was a kid.
Lauren Hillman, our Director of Player Relations, does an awesome job of connecting me to opportunities to give back in Memphis.
I volunteer with organizations like My Town Miracles and Youth Villages.
I always hope I can brighten a kid’s day or just make them laugh.
While I never expected it, I’m honored to be recognized for my community service.
It’s a humbling experience to be named to national award lists, and I’m grateful for the support of my teammates and coaches as I continue to serve.
I work hard to be a positive role model for others, and I want to inspire people to be the best version of themselves.
I’ve learned a lot throughout my journey, and I want to share my experiences with others to help them achieve their goals, too.
That’s the ultimate reward.
