CCHS standout Lawson signs to play for Tusculum

James Lawson said he can still remember when his passion for football started. At the age 5, his parents got him started in the local youth leagues, and he’s been playing ever since.

But Lawson said it was rough in the early going. He wasn’t sure if football was for him, whether or not he picked the right sport.

Those doubts were all put to rest last week when Lawson committed to attend Tusculum University in Greeneville in the fall to play football. The Cumberland County standout made the announcement during a ceremony at the high school.

“When I started playing I think a lot of people probably thought I looked like I was never going to be able to get through the first week of practice,” laughed Lawson. “I was really small, I didn’t look like I could be a football player. I think after the first week, people could tell I was committed, I was going to put a lot of hard work into it, and I was going to do everything I could to be good at it.

“I may not be the strongest or the fastest player on the team, but how I think I can help a team is through my ability to work hard and never stop until I accomplish my goal.”

And Lawson, the son of Tish and Jason Lawson, has accomplished one of his biggest goals.

The CCHS senior will have the opportunity to play football for the Tusculum Pioneers.

“I feel completely honored and excited to be able to go on and play football at the next level,” James said. “I feel blessed to have been given the chance and opportunity that I have been given.

“Ever since I started playing football, I have dreamed about plying football at a national level. I would love to be able to play professionally someday, but college football is how all that gets started. This is a lot to take in, to be given the opportunity to play football at the college level.”

James said the recruiting process for him began last November when he started speaking with college coaches, mainly from around the state.

He said he was going on a lot of visits before eventually narrowing his choices down to Tusculum and Carson- Newman.

“The thing that made me choose Tusculum was just how down to earth the coaches were,” James said. “I am going to major in history in school, and when I went to visit, there is just so much history on the campus. After the visit, I knew this was my type of place.”

James said he went to a tryout at Tusculum and competed at several different positions on the field. That, he said, was similar to his career at CCHS.

“I have played so many positions over the years that I think it will benefit me. At the tryout, I told them I would play anywhere,” James said. “I definitely believe I have to get stronger and faster to even be able to compete at the Division II level. College football is whole different ball game.”

James said he’s looking forward to reporting to Tusculum in the fall. He said he wants to spend his first year learning the system and adjusting to college life. After that, he expects to be on the field.

“It is exciting to think I will be able to go to camp and test my skills against the other guys on the team,” James said. “They may be bigger or faster, but because of my experience playing multiple positions, I think it will benefit me.”

He thanks his coaches and his teammates for helping him get the chance to play college football.

James added none of this would have been possible without the support of his parents.

“And I want to thank the game of football. The thing I like about football is the sense of family,” James said. “It has given me so many relationships and friendships. If it wasn’t for football, I wouldn’t be the type of man I am today.”