NATCHEZ — Jason Bruce is going big-time.

The former quarterback for Natchez High has committed to play for Troy University in Troy, Ala.

Bruce played two seasons as a receiver at Co-Lin Community College in Wesson after graduating from Natchez, hoping to one day get a shot at playing at the Division-I level.

“Coming out of high school, I wanted to play bigger ball,” Bruce said. “I knew if I was to play at a junior college for a year and a half I would get a chance to play somewhere bigger.”

Initially, Bruce signed with Alcorn State University.

But a combination of test scores and the idea that he would have a better chance of moving up to his desired level by getting more playing time at a junior college led him to Co-Lin.

Now he and his former coach at Natchez, Lance Reed, think he made the right decision.

“He decided to go to Co-Lin for two years and give himself a chance to be re-recruited, and his plan worked,” Reed said. “He had always talked about going to a D-I school, and the opportunity has come for him.”

Reed said he lays out the options for all his players but lets them choose their own paths.

Bruce’s recruitment by Troy, Reed said, is a step toward Natchez athletes getting more recognition.

“I always think a lot of our players here can move on,” Reed said. “I always push them as much as I can to see if they can get opportunities at bigger schools. Experience-wise, I’d match our kids up with the best around.”

Bruce’s mother Sandra, his family and friends are all happy about his commitment, even though it means he will be moving to another state after being so close to home.

The drive, Sandra said, is about 6 hours, but it will not stop her from visiting.

“That’s a big accomplishment to get a full scholarship,” his mother said. “And I’m happy about him moving. But I’m going to miss him. Being my first born, he got to be around Mom a little bit more than his baby brother.”

That brother plays for the Natchez High junior varsity football team. Sandra had a scholarship offer from Alcorn to play basketball when she was a teenager.

She bypassed it to take care of her sick mother, but she said she has a family full of athletes.

Bruce said he decided this past weekend that Troy was where he wanted to be.

“On Saturday, I was on a visit and I was enjoying myself and had a good time,” he said. “They’ve got a stable program — they know how to win games. I wanted to be a part of a big program and a team that is doing well for themselves, so I could come in and help them win.”

He said Troy’s near upset of LSU during the Tigers’ homecoming in November also piqued his interest.

Bruce said he does not have any regrets about bypassing Alcorn State for a smaller program.

“Being as small as I am, and I was a little under-experienced, I made the right decision for myself,” he said. “I enjoyed my time at Co-Lin. It helped me develop as a person and an athlete.

“Now I want to get away for a little bit and learn a lot on my own. It’s a big step for me.”

Bruce will officially sign with Troy at 3 p.m. Friday in the library at Natchez High.