The start of a new school year brings a lot of change to each and every one of us. Our classes, housing arrangements, and college experience as a whole are evolving. We may be hesitant to change, but oftentimes, it brings us right to where we need to be. For some, like Jacob Wallace, it may even bring us back home.

Jacob is a junior majoring in mathematics and education who transferred to TLU from Western New Mexico University, where he spent three years playing WR all the way in Silver City, NM.

Before spending time out west, Wallace called Marion, TX, home throughout his high school years, just less than ten miles down the road from TLU. During his football career at Marion, he earned recognition for 2000+ yards, 3x All-District, and 3x All-Area.

Earlier this week, I sat down with Jacob to reflect on his long, windy journey that has brought him all the way back home, still playing the sport he loves at the highest of levels.

With Jacob still settling in at TLU, I first wanted to know what a typical day-in-the-life looks like for the new Bulldog WR.

“Combining school and football tends to make for long days. I usually wake up around 7am, get some breakfast, and head to school around 10-11 am. Then, I have classes to about 3:30 everyday. After classes I have to practice till 6:30 to 7. Then I get some dinner and have study hall from 8-9. From there, I head home and get some film time in whether that be scouting our next opponent or watching our practice that day…TLU has been treating me very well and I’ve been enjoying my time here at TLU.”

Next, I wanted to dive into his time spent at Western New Mexico, and Jacob opened up about the highs and lows of his whole experience playing at the Division II level.

“During my time at Western was very challenging for me. I was far from home and I had trouble with that. Not being able to see my family or friends almost everyday caused me to struggle early on with my mental health. But being able to play the game I love and making good memories with new friends really helped me, so I still enjoyed my time in New Mexico.”

Despite being hundreds of miles away from home, Jacob made the most of his time spent in Western New Mexico. He saw significant playing time throughout his freshman year and made an early impact. Then, unfortunately, COVID hit during his sophomore year, which canceled that entire season for Jacob. He then played out the following season in what would be his final year at Western New Mexico.

It was by this point Jacob needed a change in scenery but still wanted to continue playing college football. And this is where TLU came calling.

“The reason I decided to come to TLU was because of how close to home it was. Staying close to home was my main priority when trying to transfer. And TLU just happened to be where I grew up. Having my parents and friends come and watch my games means the world to me.”

I followed up by asking Jacob about what the transition has been like going from competing at the Division II level to the Division III level?

“The transition from DII to DIII I wouldn’t say has been easy but it also hasn’t been challenging. At the end of the day, your playing high level football against good competition.”

Humble words from a guy who is currently playing at an All-Conference caliber just 4 games into the 2023 season. At the moment, Jacob is leading the team with 21 receptions, 294 yards, and 2 touchdowns. He has been the Bulldogs ‘ primary target in the passing game and looks to continue to be an impact player for a TLU team that is still looking to make some noise in the American Southwest Conference. The best part of it all for Jacob is that he still has another year of eligibility following this current season of play.

It’s no secret that he’s been around the game for a while now, so to wrap up our conversation, I asked Jacob to reflect on his ongoing journey of what it’s taken to be a successful student-athlete over his playing career.

“Throughout my years of being a student-athlete I have learned that I’m not defined by what I do, what I’ve done, or where I am life.”

Jacob couldn’t have said it any better. As student-athletes or even as human beings, our worth is never defined by our triumphs or shortcomings. I believe our worth comes from staying focused on the individual journeys we all go on rather than the destination. Choosing to be process-driven over result-driven is what truly matters, and I think Jacob’s story is a perfect example of this. I say all of this because you never know where that journey may take you.