Vidalia High School’s Jordan Mays might be going to a new place after he graduates, but he will have a familiar face alongside him.

Mays is set to join former Trinity Episcopal star and Vidalia native Michael Whitley at Lakeland University after verbally committing to the Plymouth, Wisc., based campus this past week.

“I’m just letting it all sink in right now,” Mays said. “I’m going to get to play college football.”

Lakeland competes at the Division III level, where the Muskies have reached postseason play the past two years under Whitley’s direction as the team’s quarterback.

“I was willing to go anywhere to play,” Mays said. “I talked to a couple of schools that were far away, but I could tell the coaches at Lakeland wanted me a lot. At first I was a little worried about being far from home, but at some point, I’ll have to move away anyway.”

Mays said his relationship with Whitley also served as a contributing factor in his decision.

“It’s good to know somebody already there,” Mays said. “When he comes down here (in the summer), we do a lot of 7 on 7 and work out together. He told me I would fit in well, and I would like the team atmosphere, and that’s it’s a future championship team.”

The 5-foot-11, 160-pound wide receiver made the transition to the offensive side of the ball this past season after previously serving as a standout defensive back for the Vikings.

Mays hauled in 23 passes for 494 yards and six touchdowns en route to being named a Second-Team All-District member.

“The (Lakeland) coaches have been telling me that I will be a good fit into their offense, and I have what it takes to be a good receiver,” he said.

Mays said no matter where his talents may take him, he will always cherish his time spent in a Viking uniform.

“I’m going to remember the turnaround we’ve had as a program,” he said. “We went from not winning a game (in 2014) to winning three games this year. We can compete now.”