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Vero Beach CB James Monds III reveals his college choice during beach practice
Vero Beach CB James Monds III reveals its college choice
Leah Voss, Treasure Coast Newspapers
Editor’s Note: James Monds III, Vero Beach’s rising senior cornerback, wrote the following first-person story to announce where he will play college football.
The 5-foot-11, 182-pounder is a three-star recruit and the No. 98 player in the state of Florida on the 247Sports Composite rankings. He has limited his finalists to Indiana, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.
Monds, in 2nd place in the TCPalm Super 11, was an all-area selection of the first team in soccer and soccer in the last two seasons. In 2020, he was a first-team Class 6A All-State selection.
Football is in my blood.
My grandfather was in the NFL. He was from Tennessee-Martin and played linebacker for the Giants. My uncle played for the Steelers in the NFL. He was from Nebraska and was an All-American. My father played in Toledo for a couple of years and then went to Bethune-Cookman and had a really good career there.
I never really felt like I was doing anything other than playing soccer. I just wanted to follow in my family’s footsteps.
As far as I can remember, when we all got together we always played football and we were just competitive. These are some of the fondest memories for me.
The first team I played for in the minor league was the Florida State Seminoles. I grew up a Seminoles fan because I played for the Seminoles from 5 to 9 years old. Back then I always played wide receivers. I actually didn’t like the defense. It just wasn’t for me.
I thought I was going to be a wide receiver. In the eighth grade all-star game, I was on the wide receiver. But when I was about to go to high school, my dad said, “If you want to play early, you have to play defensive back.”
Everything went from there.
It felt natural. My father always used to do back pedal drills. But when I started playing my first year I saw that I was pretty good.
My first offer was at the end of my 10th year of school when COVID hit. I actually got all of my offers during COVID. It was strange, but it felt like it helped because the coaches had the opportunity to sit back and just watch the movie.
If you’re watching me, I think you’re getting a spark plug. Someone who can do everything.
I think only nine passes were thrown my way last year – and some of them were out of bounds.
I wish people would get in my way more, but people say it’s a sign that I’ve been respected.
I want to thank my parents, friends and family for being there for me. I want to thank all the coaches who have coached me in the past and all the coaches who tried me and offered me to go to their universities. I can only go to one school, but the offers are proof that all the hard work has paid off and people are seeing it.
I am blessed and very privileged to announce my commitment to Indiana University.
It was a really tough decision, but I think it’s the right one.
I loved the coaches and the family atmosphere. A couple of the kids who get involved there are guys I played 7v7 against and who I know, so I feel like it all played a role in the choice of school.
My official visit was amazing. I had a great time, got to see the city and the school and just see everything they had to offer.
I am blessed to come from a family where so many of my family members have played college ball.
And I’m next.
source https://collegeeducationnewsllc.com/vero-beach-3-star-db-james-monds-reveals-college-decision/
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