For Jeramie Posey, winning Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year is not just a personal achievement, it is a chance to be seen.
The Southern Miss defensive lineman earned the honor at the Talon Awards, an annual ceremony recognizing athletic and academic excellence across all sports. But Posey said his first thought was not about the trophy.
“Somewhere out there, there’s a young Black athlete who saw that and saw somebody who looked like him winning a scholarship award and being a football player,” Posey said. “I’m hoping that can encourage some people.”
Posey, an information technology major who is academically classified as a senior but competes as a junior, said the recognition reflects more than grades and performance. It challenges a long-standing perception about football players.
“You don’t have to stick to one thing,” he said. “You can strive for excellence in multiple areas.”
The award honors a student-athlete who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement, consistency and overall merit. For Posey, that balance did not come easily.
“It’s really just a bunch of small choices,” he said. “You can’t contribute all of your time to football or all of your time to academics. You have to have a balance.”
That balance was tested during a coaching transition within the program this year, forcing players to make decisions about their futures while staying on track in the classroom.
“It’s kind of like a whole world shake-up,” Posey said. “Everybody’s trying to figure out what their future holds while keeping everything else together.”
He said moments like that required discipline and support from his family, as well as a deeper sense of purpose.
“If you can recognize that you have potential, I feel like it’s a shame not to try to reach it,” Posey said.
Originally a computer science major, Posey switched to information technology during his sophomore year after discovering a stronger interest in networking and system operations. He said finding the right path made his academic journey more meaningful.
“It’s easier when you’re doing something that you enjoy,” he said. “It makes everything smoother.”
Despite the recognition, Posey remains focused on using his platform to inspire others, particularly young athletes who may feel pressure to prioritize sports over academics.
“It’s just the stigma,” he said. “You’re expected to excel on the field. It’s not really expected for you to excel in anything else.”
Posey said changing that narrative is part of what motivates him.
In the future, he hopes to build a career in information technology, possibly in cybersecurity or network systems, while continuing to play football as long as possible. He also expressed interest in mentoring younger athletes.
Still, he credits his success to something greater than himself.
“I wouldn’t have any of the success I have without God,” Posey said. “It’s not me — it’s Him.”
As for advice to others trying to follow a similar path, Posey emphasized consistency and discipline.
“If you let one thing slide, then a lot of things begin to slide,” he said. “Stay committed, stay consistent and manage your time well.”
For Posey, the award is more than recognition. It is a reminder that representation matters — and that excellence does not have to be limited to one field.
