One of Greenville’s own is getting a chance to help start up a football program at the University of South Alabama.

GHS’s Alex Phifer has committed to play for the Jaguars.

“You don’t get many chances to start at a Division I program,” Phifer said.

The Jaguars’ first football season is tentatively set for 2009, where the team will play a “junior varsity” schedule for two years.

“It’ll be big-time Division I after that,” Phifer said.

The Jaguars offered Phifer a full scholarship, and he took it.

“I’ve been thinking about going there since the end of last year, and it seemed like a nice place to start,” he said.

He also said this doesn’t place any pressure on him for the rest of the season.

“It’s actually motivation for me to show people that I deserve to play Division I football,” Phifer said. “I’m going from a Tiger to a Jaguar.”

Once he arrives on campus, Phifer plans to major in physical therapy.

“Alex is one of those players that has the chance to take it 60, 70, 80 or more yards when you put the ball in his hands,” said head coach Ben Blackmon. “I’m proud of him. He’s worked hard.”

“He has the right attitude,” Blackmon added. “A lot of people never get the chance to play, or they get it and ruin it. Alex has a chance to be successful.”