Latta’s Jachai Buie signed on to play football for the Methodist University Monarchs in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on Monday afternoon in Latta.

Buie has been playing football since he was 12 years old and played defensive end for the Vikings. He plans to major in Physical Therapy and spends his spare time working out.

He said he chose to sign with Methodist University because it “felt like home when I was visiting” and said he got a good vibe while he was there. He also noted that he would be sticking with the school colors of green and gold.
Buie says he was most influence to play by his family and his cousins, and thanked them for their influence, including his Grandpa Bill who he credited for sparking his interest in the sport when he was young.

He also thanked his mom and dad, and his Aunt Ada and grandmother Yvonne, who supported him in his football career. He said the most important lesson his father taught him during his football career was that “your best is never good enough.”

“No matter how good you think you did, you can always do better. If I don’t take any other lesson I’ve ever learned, it would be that one.”

Buie also credited his coaching staff for their help and influence, including former Coach Kelly Williamson who he said taught him the game from offense to defense. He also thanked his teammates and said the most important things he would be taking with him were the good memories and the techniques he learned from the Vikings.

“We are very proud of Jachai and his accomplishments. He’s heading in the right direction,” his parents, Jessica and James Buie, said. “Being young parents, we appreciate his opportunity to advance to the next stage in his life.”

Athletic Director Aaron Miles said Buie is a “good student and a good athlete, and we are very proud of him.”

“I believe he has the work ethic to be successful,” he said.

The Methodist University Monarchs finished the 2014 season with a 6-4 record in Division III.