It’s not everyday the number two-rated quarterback in junior college comes to play at Texas A&M University-Commerce. But ex-Major League Baseball prospect and junior college football standout, Terry Mayo Jr., chose to continue his college career as the new starting quarterback for the Lions.
“I didn’t do too much of looking at the football aspect,” Mayo said. “They [coaching staff] made me feel comfortable here.”
His journey has been long, since graduating from Eastern Guilford High School (N.C.) in 1999, while lettering in football, basketball and baseball.
After graduation, he was selected in the 13th round by the Milwaukee Brewers to play baseball. His best year came in 2000 when he had a batting average of .239, 5 homeruns, 21 runs batted in, 10 stolen bases and 22 runs in 58 games. Mayo said the spent with the Brewers was a “great time.”
After his run with baseball, he decided to come back and try his hand at football, moving on to play at Reedley Junior College in California. His freshman year in 2004, he compiled 2,128 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, while completing 178-365 of his passing attempts. Mayo followed his strong first season with an even better sophomore session completing 185-300 passes and throwing for 2,474 yards with 22 touchdowns.
His time spent at Reedley earned him first team all-state, all-region and all-conference awards.
Coming out of junior college, Mayo was the number two rated quarterback recruit in the country according to CollegeFootballNews.com and was ranked number 27 nationally.
Rivals.com had him as the number 41 rated college prospect in the nation.
Mayo was then set to move on to the University of Central Florida squad, but due to new rules of the NCAA, his time there was short and he never was able to play a game.
Getting recruited by A&M-Commerce, Mayo decided to make this his new home.
“Its not about the place, its about what you do when you get there,” said Mayo.
Well, Mayo, who has drawn comparisons to NFL’s Dante Culpepper by scouts, is here and the clock has started on whether or not he can make this team better than the 5-5 records they finished with the last two seasons.
Spring practices wrapped up last Saturday as the Lions looked to incorporate some new looks and final touches before next season.
“[It is] going pretty good,” said Mayo. “Everything is positive and we just have to get adjusted to each other.”
The Lions offense last year was a run oriented offense, but they are sure to put in more passing plays as Mayo looks to be an answer the Lions have been waiting for the past couple of years.
Troy State transfer and last year’s starting quarterback, Daniel Coleman will move to his natural position at wide receiver with Kansas State transfer, Patrick Thompson, giving Mayo reliable targets in the passing game.
It has been reported that attendance was low last season for the Lions, but Mayo is hoping that will change with “hard fought games every time.”
And Mayo says, “The wins will come with the work ethic.”