Selma High senior Darion Alexander sat behind a table, surrounded by his mother, friends and family with pen in hand Monday morning and signed a National Letter of Intent, agreeing to play football at Miles College.

“The coaches from Miles came down her multiple times. They made it to my basketball games and when they came down here, they slap put it on the table. They wanted me to play,” Alexander said.

Not only was it important for Alexander to feel the school he picked wanted him to play, but also wanted him to play quarterback.

“I wanted to play quarterback at the next level and I believe I can be a quarterback at the next level,” Alexander said, talking of one of the main reasons for selecting Miles. “Some of the other, bigger schools wanted to move me to wide receiver, defensive back, but I wanted to play quarterback.”

And while playing football was important to Alexander, he said Miles’ academic foundation and location was just as key.

“It was close to home and I felt like I was home when I went for my official. And, one of the main things, they wanted me and I wanted to play for a team that really wanted me,” Alexander said. “Plus, they have a great educational facility, which was very important to me. I want to major in physical therapy and they co-op their program with UAB and I love that.”

Alexander, who is set to graduate from Selma’s Early College Program, will do so already completing an Associates Degree.