LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — When you're 6-feet, 6-inches tall and weigh more than 300 pounds, it's not hard to stand out in high school. When you're as dominant on the football field and in the classroom as Mike Overland Jr, it's even easier.
"I play three other sports and I’ve been playing baseball the longest, but football is just what I love to do. I’m in here every day, don’t miss, get my work done in the classroom, just very focused on what I have to do in the future," said Overland Jr.
As a three-year varsity player at Cimmaron Memorial High School, Overland Jr. has earned the respect of his teammates on the field.
"He’s a great leader on the field, always trying to pick people up and make everyone push themselves to be the best they want to be," said Jose Carrasco, Overland Jr.'s teammate.
Overland Jr. earned even more respect from his coaches in the classroom.
"The kid's been above a 3.0 [GPA] his entire high school career. He does different things with our special needs program and really goes above and beyond what it means to be a Spartan," said Shane Kanie, head coach of the Cimarron football team.
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Mike Overland Jr. already has a division 1 football scholarship offer from UNLV, and he's hoping more will be arriving in the mail in the near future. While he has even bigger dreams of, one day, playing pro football, he's keeping his perspective and taking it one step at a time.
"Every kid's dream is to make it to the NFL, but I just want to be good where I’m at, just focus on where I’m at right now, then move on to future stuff in the future," said Overland Jr.
He's also got a solid backup plan, just in case.
"I eventually want to be a cop, a detective. So, if football doesn’t work out, then that’s where I’m gonna be," said Overland Jr.
Until then, he says he's going to enjoy being a kid and now, a 13 MVP.
Just to enjoy it, to go to the playoffs, I haven’t been to the playoffs yet in my four years. Just enjoy being a kid before you have to grow up," said Overland Jr.
KTNV will be recognizing a new 13 MVP prior to every Vegas Golden Knights preseason game, and once a month after that.
