Orlando Lacey has spent his entire life dreaming about playing college football, and now the Opp Bobcat senior athlete is one step closer to making that reality after committing to Troy University.

“It’s been my dream since I was a little kid running around the house with socks as my shoulder pads and a book as my back plate,” Lacey said of playing college football. “I always told my mom that I was going to play, and now I’m getting the opportunity to do what I love and have dreamed of.”

Lacey had a sensational career playing quarterback for the Bobcats, but he was recruited to Troy as an athlete.

“It’s a blessing,” Lacey said of the scholarship. “I call it a blessing because God put me in this position, and I’m going to make the best out of what I get to in college.”

For Lacey, his motivation to succeed comes from his family.

“What drives me on and off the field is my family,” Lacey said. “My family is always there for me and have encouraged me to do what is best, whether it’s on or off the field. Another thing is God, if it wasn’t for Him I wouldn’t be in the spot that I am. My coaches and teachers all drive me as well because they expect big things out of me.”

Despite missing the majority of his sophomore year due to a torn ACL, Lacey still finished his career with 3,597 yards passing and 3,328 yards rushing for a total of 71 touchdowns.

“On the field, Orlando is a quite leader,” Opp head football coach Brent Hill said. “He leads by his actions. He has put in so much work for this and he has really earned this opportunity.”

More than just an impact player on the field, Lacey also made big impacts off the field.

“He is the type of guy that cares a lot about others,” Hill said. “He is a humble kid. I found out midway through the season this year from a parent, that Orlando had been working with a freshman at the stadium on his own time. That is just the type of kid that he is.”

Hill said that he knows Lacey will continue to earn every good thing that comes his way.

“I’m so happy for him because he has worked so hard and has earned it,” Hill said of Lacey’s scholarship. “He has been raised by his mother and she has made a lot of sacrifices for him, and that is something that he takes serious. He works hard in the classroom and on the field. He has done such a great job representing Opp and I think Troy will really enjoy having him represent them.”

Lacey will officially sign is letter of intent on Feb. 1.