Opp’s Quantavise Stoudemire signs with JSU

Quantavise Stoudemire couldn’t believe the awesome day he was having on Wednesday.

The Opp senior linebacker signed his national letter of intent to play college football at Jacksonville State University in front of family, teammates, coaches and fellow students at the high school’s library on what he described as an exciting and dream-like day.

Stoudemire, a starting linebacker for OHS, said his decision to go and play for the Gamecocks came down to the team’s personnel.

“Their coaches,” he said. “When I went down for my visit I had a good time with them. It was like it was a family. They treat you like you’re one of their own.

“Then with the players, it’s like a brotherhood down there,” he said. “All of the players got along. It was the best visit I’ve been on.”

Stoudemire said he visited and stayed on the JSU campus throughout last weekend, and chose JSU despite getting letters from Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, Middle Tennessee and Appalachian State.

Getting to play football at the next level is a big accomplishment for Stoudemire, but getting his education is the main goal.

“I want to better myself and my education,” he said. “I feel like down there, they can help me with the tools I need to move on to the next level. If that doesn’t work out, then maybe have a good education and become something.”

JSU is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference in Division 1 FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) in football, which was formerly known as 1-AA, of the NCAA. The football team plays in 25,000-seat Burgess-Snow Field in Jacksonville, which is located northwest of Birmingham, near Gadsden.

Stoudemire doesn’t come from a long line of football players, but his uncle, Vaughn Hines played in the NFL.

The ultimate goal, if it comes to it, is to play in the big leagues, he said.

OHS coach Jack Whigham said his former player is “blessed” with a lot of talent.

“He’s blessed with an opportunity,” Whigham said at the signing ceremony. “We’re proud of him.”

Growing up, playing college football was a “dream” for the OHS standout.

Now, it’s going to be a reality.

“It just feels like a big dream,” Stoudemire said. “I can’t believe it’s happening right now.”

Stoudemire is the son of Guillermina Owens and Chris Stoudemire of Opp.

Other than Stoudemire, there weren’t many who signed their letters yesterday on a local level.

Andalusia and Straughn didn’t have any players to sign.

Pleasant Home’s Carl Whitehurst is signing to play at Faulkner University at a later date.

Red Level’s Tim Sims has a couple junior college schools out of Mississippi interested in him, Tigers coach David Godwin said.

Florala didn’t have any players sign, too.