Photo via Scout

Deuntra Hyman from Meridian High School (Miss.) walked off the football field as a child, choosing to pursue baseball.

However, motivated by those who said he could never succeed again on the gridiron, he made a huge return to football as a high school junior.

He has since become an elite defensive end and three-star recruit.

It’s been a circuitous path for the young man who now has multiple SEC offers.

A multi-sport athlete who started out on the baseball diamond, Hyman eventually took up football as a child after he was influenced by his father.

He eventually gave up football, and did not play either his freshman or sophomore season at Meridian, which boasts one of the state’s best football programs.

However, after some time away from the game, Hyman returned to the field in high school more dedicated and determined.

And the school’s football coach was more than happy to welcome him back to the sport.

Meridian head coach, Calvin Hampton, told The Clarion-Ledger, "He took some time off and came to me expressing interest in playing again. I could see from his body structure he had the chance to put some weight on and really become something special. He went to work and his body just transformed."

The now 6-foot-3, 255-pound player spent many hours in the gym, lifting weights to transform his body. He also worked to refine his technique as a pass rusher. Both paid off in a big way last fall.

Hyman finished his junior season with 63 total tackles (13 for loss) and 19 sacks. During his comeback year, he earned offers from more than a dozen Division I schools. He committed to Ole Miss and this week was named a member of the 2017 The Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen.

Heading into his senior season, and only second year of varsity play, Hayman is ready to continue his success on the field.

His story is a reminder that, even if you’ve spent time away from football, you can still achieve gridiron success through hard work and dedication.