Former Smackover standout Jaqueze Modica is certainly well-traveled.
From Texas to Kansas to Arizona to California, Modica has had several stops while playing football in junior college.
But he believes that trend is coming to an end.
Earlier this week, Modica signed with Nebraska-Kearney, and he said it was the fit that swayed him to sign with the Lopers.
“I felt like Nebraska-Kearney was home,” Modica said. “When coach (Ryan) Held texted me, he made it feel like home. I did what my family wanted me to do.”
Modica said the visit reminded him of Smackover.
“It was great. They made it feel like home,” Modica said. “Everything went well. It was awesome being at Nebraska-Kearney. It felt like the home environment back here in Smackover.”
Modica, who is a redshirt sophomore with three years of eligibility left, said he is studying kinesiology.
How Modica got to Nebraska-Kearney is a story itself.
After a terrific senior year that saw Modica account for 703 yards rushing, 528 yards receiving, 402 yards on punt returns and 188 yards on kickoff returns with 21 total touchdowns, the Smackover standout headed to Texas to start his football career, but left after one semester.
Modica transferred to Fort Scott Community College in Kansas, a school that former Buckaroo Elmo Hempstead attended, but again, Modica’s stay was a short one.
“Something happened with the coaching staff there, so I left after that semester,” Modica said. “I had a bunch of JUCOs texting me, so I went to the JUCO that was the best for me.”
Modica then headed to Arizona to attend Gila River Community College, which began to open some doors.
“I had a big season, and I had a couple of big-time D-1 offers,” Modica said. “I had offers from Florida State, Memphis, Illinois, big schools like that.”
But those doors closed due to academics.
“I was supposed to commit, but I didn’t get to commit due to my grades situation, so I had to fall back from that,” Modica said. “If you go JUCO, do not go into classes playing around because it’s a real big eye opener. The classes are for real and coaches are not going to take you if you’re not for real in the classroom. The classroom is more important because schools are going to come.”
Modica now had to decide if he wanted to stay in Arizona or move on to another school.
“After that, I sat down and talked with my family, and my mom wanted me to leave there because the competition wasn’t good enough,” Modica said.
It was then on to California where Modica attended Riverside City College.
It was there where he put his explosiveness on display, finishing with 46 catches for 735 yards and 7 touchdowns for the Tigers, who went 12-1 and reached the California Community College Athletic Association state championship game for the third straight year.
“I fought out there and the competition was great,” Modica said. “It was great exposure for me. After the season, I had several schools hit me up, but in my head, it’s not all about D-1. Anybody can go to the NFL from D-1 or D-II, it doesn’t matter. I was going to a place that felt like home. I wasn’t just going somewhere that was a big-time school. I wanted to go somewhere where I was going to get as much playing time as I needed to get to where I wanted to go.”
Modica is a veteran of the recruiting process, and he said that patience and fit are two major factors players must have.
“Be patient, schools are going to come, always listen to what the coach is telling you,” Modica said. “He’s trying to sell you dreams to get you there. Just be patient and whichever school makes it feel like home, that’s where you need to go.”
Modica said he had an offer from Alcorn State, but he believes Nebraska-Kearney is the perfect spot for him.
“I feel like Nebraska-Kearney is going to be a place for me to settle down for the next three years,” Modica said.