LaFAYETTE — Jae’Lin McCurdy, the senior athlete from LaFayette High School, announced his commitment to Highland Community College on Monday night via social media.

“First, I want to thank God for guiding me to where I am today and allowing me to play the game I love,” McCurdy wrote in his post. “I also want to thank every program that offered me and was willing to give me a chance. With that said, I am 100 percent committed to Highland Community College.”

The six-foot-two, 200-pound McCurdy decided to go the junior college route because his offers from four-year universities were all small schools, LaFayette head football coach James Lucas said.

“Highland Community College in Kansas is going to give him a good opportunity to showcase his talents to be recruited by Division I schools,” Lucas said. “I feel strongly that he’ll be in great hands at Highland, and that he will get the opportunity to play at Division I.”

Last season on offense, McCurdy completed 95 of 204 passes for 1201 yards, 16 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. A dual-threat quarterback, McCurdy also finished the season as the Bulldogs’ third-leading rusher, tallying 625 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.

McCurdy also had a solid season on the defensive side of the ball playing in the secondary, grabbing an interception in the first half against rival Lanett. Lucas said that he didn’t play quarterback before coming to LaFayette and that he’s a fast learner. His ever-changing roles will follow him to the next level.

“They’re looking at him at either quarterback, wide receiver, or in the secondary,” Lucas said. “He can play all three of those positions very well.”

McCurdy had the grades to become a Division I athlete this fall, and Lucas said that he has the talent to play at that level. Lucas believes that McCurdy could just be a hidden gem.

“In LaFayette, being a small school, there are a lot of people being recruited,” he said. “Each coach comes down and recruits four guys from each school. Some coaches have about 100 schools, and they have 400 kids to choose from. Sometimes you get overlooked in the ruffle, but I think that was a great decision for him to go to Highland so he can get his stock up. He’s an [academic] qualifier, so he won’t be in JuCo long. I’m very pleased of him having the understanding to realize that the process doesn’t end at the junior college. 

“It gives him an opportunity to play on in college and possibly give him the chance to play in the professional league.”