West Virginia commit Quay Mays didn’t take the traditional route
SENATOBIA, Miss. — In today’s world of college football recruiting, it is not uncommon for players to receive verbal offers before they even start high school. Kids are out at camps now very early in their football careers, and offers are going out earlier and earlier.
That may have been a dream for Quay Mays, the standout defensive lineman at Northwest Community College.
He wasn’t even thinking about football entering high school. He was thinking more about where he was going to sleep that night and when he would be able to find his next meal.
Mays did not take the traditional route to play college football, but someone opened their home to him, he found an opportunity on the Junior College level and he is now destined to play on the next level in the Big 12 for West Virginia.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
“I wasn’t in a stable position back then,” said Mayes. “I was bouncing from home to home. I was going through a lot of stuff and just couldn’t catch a break. Then I got adopted my senior year after a player from another city found out I was homeless, and he and his family took me in. I was able to be focused, play football and that is how I got here.
“I played little league, but not in high school until my senior year. I am a humble guy. I am very grateful. Being at Northwest is a blessing. I have been down — way down. So to see what I have now, I look at everything as a blessing and I am looking to take advantage of it.
“I committed to West Virginia over the summer and I loved the vibe there. The coaches were great, I loved the players and they made me feel like I was back home in Florida. It was a crazy feeling for me up there.
“I always communicate with them. Right after our game [Thursday night], I was Facetiming with them and we always talk. They care about me and I talk to coach Leslie every day. I can’t wait to get back up there when they play Texas to spend more time with everybody.
“They were my first offer, so they were up there for me from that point. I am graduating in December, so I will be up there in January. I am just very excited. I look at this as a blessing. I know anything can happen, so it is up to me to take advantage of West Virginia believing in me.”
RIVALS REACTION
As a player, Mays is a force in the middle. He is strong at the point of attack, he has good quickness and always plays with a lot of energy. With his background, he plays each play like it could be his last. He does not take anything for granted, and he is going to give West Virginia everything he’s got. Mays is on track to be out of Northwest in December, then will be able to play two years for the Mountaineers.