BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- As one of the senior leaders on this season's Samford football team, Jeremy Towns is an outstanding role model both on and off the field. Recently, the Bulldogs' high-energy defensive lineman was able to sit down with Director of Athletics Communication Zac Schrieber for a quick question-and-answer session about a variety of topics.

Q&A With Senior Defensive Lineman Jeremy Towns

How were you recruited and how did you find your way to Samford?
"I had quite a few schools looking at me early on, but then they realized I'd only played my freshman and senior seasons in high school, so they only considered that as playing one year of varsity football. I primarily played basketball in high school and never really played football until a couple of guys talked me into it. The summer before my senior season, (Samford Head) Coach (Pat) Sullivan gave me a call and said that he had a scholarship for me. The rest is history."
 
What were some things about Samford that you really liked?
"I liked the opportunity to play football and Coach Sullivan. Also, any time you can get a free education, that's a great thing. All of the coaches were great and (Assistant) Coach (Ross) Newton was the defensive line coach at the time and he really made me feel comfortable and that they wanted me here. They needed me, so I really knew that I had a purpose here. Then, when they brought in (Assistant) Coach (Sam) Shade, (Assistant) Coach (Rory) Segrest and (Director of Strength and Conditioning) Coach (Ryan) Davis, that's been icing on the cake."
 
You're from Dolomite, Ala., how big or small of a town is that?
"It's a very small town. I couldn't tell you exactly how many people live there, but it's a very small town. We only have about two or three stoplights in the entire town."
 
After sitting out consecutive seasons with injuries, how big was it to be able to play last year?
"It was huge. With the first injury, I had to see two different doctors and have two different surgeries. At one point, I didn't think I would ever be able to play football again. It was a big relief after the second surgery and it was a huge blessing to be healthy. In looking back at the film of last season, I wasn't nearly 100 percent, but I've continued to get better and I feel great now."
 
How excited are you for this season and to have the opportunity to play full speed?
"I'm super excited. I was able to go through a whole spring and an entire offseason of strength and conditioning. I haven't had to miss any time at all and I have to take my hat off to the athletic training staff and to Coach Davis. That was a huge goal of his, because he knew that I really wanted to go into the season healthy."
 
 You were the valedictorian of your high school, was education always a big priority for you growing up?
"It was. My mother always wanted us to do well in school and I didn't want to let her down. There were times in my life when I didn't care as much as I should have, but she always kept motivating me and with my competitive attitude, I wanted to win on the field, on the court and also in the classroom. I wanted to be the best in everything, and that was just my competitive nature."
 
Who are some people that have been a huge influence on your life?
"Obviously, my mom played a huge role, but also my big brother, D.J. He's been a huge influence on me. He was able to play college sports and I always looked up to him. Over the years, Coach Sullivan has been a huge influence on me. The way that he has battled sickness has really been positive for us, and he does all this when he doesn't need coaching. He's already made a name for himself and people already have such a reverence for him, but he still comes out here every day and impacts our lives. It's more than just wins and losses for him. I've had a great opportunity to really get to know Coach Sullivan and find out that he's just an awesome guy."
 
How have you been able to use your experience to mentor the younger guys on the team?
"That's been the most rewarding part of me being able to play a sixth season. I've been able to help them understand the ropes and to realize that it's a blessing to be here. I also really try to help them maximize their opportunities as a student-athlete. I want them to be able to leave school with more than just accolades on the field. I want them to leave this great school with a sense of purpose."
 
You play a big role in Ransom (student-led campus ministry). How important is that to you?
"Coming to college, I never had any idea that I would be so involved in the ministry and leading others to Christ. I had a lot of party-type mentalities coming to college, but Jamael Lett was a cornerback here when I came in and he led me to Christ.
 
"After that, I looked at the football Bible study that we had and dreamed that it could be so much bigger than it was. Now, I've passed it on to Ben Neill and Tony Thompson, a basketball player, and just last night they coordinated the whole thing and it ran smoothly, just like they didn't need me there. It's more than just athletes now and it's amazing to see people change their whole perspective on life. It's not just about spirituality. I see all of these guys go hard on the football field and Kelsey Pope is a great example. It's been amazing to see him grow up and to come to faith on a whole new level. That's been a huge encouragement to me."

The Samford football team will next be in action Saturday at 2 p.m., as the Bulldogs welcome the Western Carolina Catamounts to Seibert Stadium for a key SoCon-opening contest. Click here for Tickets.