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Jace Dobbins has played multiple positions during his time on the Jefferson County football team. On Thursday, he signed to play yet another position: Division I football player.

Amongst friends and family, Dobbins signed to continue his academic and football careers at Tennessee State University. He will be going as a preferred walk on.

“I feel happy today,” Dobbins said. “It’s just a great day. I’m just excited for what this means for my future and for what it leads up to for my life and all the things it can provide for me.”

When deciding on where he wanted to spend the next four years of his life, Dobbins took multiple things into mind including the people and the environment at Tennessee State.

Another plus for TSU to Dobbins is the inclusion of an aviation major as Dobbins wants to be a pilot following his four years there.

“The people there were a big thing,” Dobbins said. “It’s an HBCU, so I love that. And they have the degree that I want, so that had a little bit to do with it as well.”

While the dream of playing Division I football has always been on Dobbins’ mind, it was following his senior season this past fall when he felt like that dream might come to fruition as he was invited to play in the Rivalry Showcase All-Star Game.

At practice leading up to the game and at the game itself, Dobbins’ talent was put on display as multiple college coaches were there to watch. It was at that moment that Dobbins knew he might be playing football for another four years.

“The moment I got into the All-Star game I really knew that I could probably go somewhere with this and try and get a future with it,” Dobbins said. “All the eyes that were out there watching, I knew this was a really good opportunity and I needed to make the most of it.”

Dobbins’ high school career at Jefferson County has been a different one. Normally a defensive back for the Patriots, Dobbins was thrown in as the emergency quarterback in both his final two years.

During his junior season, Dobbins was thrown into the fire after Izaiah Hall went down with a season-ending injury. Dobbins accounted for six touchdowns in his first start, a 55-14 win over Morristown West, and then almost led the Patriots to a first round playoff win over Bradley Central.

Then, this past season, Hall once again went down with an injury and Dobbins was forced to step in. In his lone start, Dobbins led Jeff County to a road win over Hardin Valley.

“It’s been crazy having to learn both sides of the ball,” Dobbins said. “On defense, you just have to learn the coverages. But on offense you really have to know what everybody is doing. That part was crazy, but we figured it out. It was fun.”

While quarterback was something that Dobbins was forced into, defensive back was his natural position and one that he will play at the collegiate level. During his senior season, Dobbins made 32 tackles and picked off two passes.

For Jeff County coach Spencer Riley, that versatility and his willingness to do whatever was asked of him is what stood out to him about Dobbins.

“He did what we asked him to do,” Riley said. “He knew what his role was as an offensive player and knew he was primarily a defensive player for us. It’s just great to see him put the work in and have it all pay off in the end.

“It’s just nice to see our kids are getting the recognition they rightly deserve. It’s great to see Jace have the opportunity to play division I football. It’s going to be an exciting time for him.”

While Dobbins time at Jefferson County will come to an end in May when he graduates, his senior class will be remembered for years to come. Starting off their high school career losing 18 of their first 21 games, that senior class took Jefferson County to the playoffs in their final two seasons.

“To be a part of that since we were at the bottom, we hit rock bottom literally, and to now get to where we are now, it feels really good,” Dobbins said.

Dobbins will open up his college career for Eddie George and his TSU squad on Sept. 2 when the Tigers travel to South Bend to play Notre Dame.