Anytime a student athlete has the opportunity to continue their education, as well as play the sport they love at the next level, it's a great accomplishment.

To do so after playing the sport for only one years is even a greater feat.

Such is the case for Shelbyville Central's Dyson Collins as he recently signed a letter of intent to play football at Maryville College.

"It's an amazing opportunity I was given by Maryville College. I'm extremely honored and grateful to be able to not only receive college education but to also play a sport alongside that,'" Collins said.

"My coaches from high school all played a major part in getting me to this spot and all of my teachers throughout the years have always given me what I needed to succeed. I will always thank them dearly."

He couldn't be happier about the school he chose to attend.

"Maryville is a great city and is in a really great area. The campus has a really nice, home-like feeling to me. It's not very big and it's really close to Knoxville where I spend a lot of time in the fall," Collins said.

A life-long football fan, Collins never played the sport until his senior year at Shelbyville Central.

He was a standout soccer player for the Golden Eagles but decided to give football a chance.

"Even though I only played one season of high school football, it was one of my favorite times I've had in playing sports. The coaches are an excellent group of men. They made me feel as if I belonged on the football field. I started the season out as only a punter, but some of the coaches told me I should try out receiver," he said.

"I was kind of undecided on doing it, but they really pushed me and assisted me to their best efforts the whole way and got me to a comfortable spot in the lineup," Collins said. "The most memorable event unfortunately has to be the way our season was cut short. We were down 20 or more players due to COVID, eight to 10 of those players being starters including our quarterback, Kade Cunningham. We came into that game against Franklin County with no fear and had a terrific game. There was an incident in the late third quarter that further caused the TSSAA to strip our playoff berth. It's the most regrettable sports moment I've been a part (of). We all had huge hopes of taking it all the way."

So why did he choose football over soccer?

"Soccer has always been a major part of my life and I've play it since I was four years old, it has always been my main sport up until I joined the football team," Collins said.

"I hadn't played football as long but I've always loved the game. I know a lot about football, I've just always felt I was too small to play. I think the main reason for me choosing football over soccer was because I've played soccer and I've explored my talents in soccer. I've given it all my time for many years and with the football season ending the way it did last season, I felt incomplete with my journey in the football world."

Collins earned the respect of the Golden Eagle coaching staff with his hard work and dedication to the program.

"Dyson is a great example of someone stepping outside of their comfort zone and trying something new only to find that they really enjoy it. He only played football his senior year and now he has the opportunity to play college football," Shelbyville Central coach Josh Puckett said.

"He worked hard to learn and didn't get discouraged early in the year. I am so proud of him and his work ethic. I am excited to see him grow in his adult life and look forward to seeing the type of man he becomes."

The sky is the limit for what Collins can accomplish, both on and off the field.

"As of right now I'm still undecided on what I want to do. I have many ideas as to what I want for my future, but I can't single one out just yet, although I have always wanted to own a company of my own."