Jett was contacted by 12 different colleges. He first narrowed his list to three schools – that included Monmouth College and McKendree University -- before committing to Augustana.

The Vikings program is headed by fifth-year coach Steve Bell. It was the connection with Coach Bell that helped Jett choose the school in Rock Island.

“He was the guy from Augustana that recruited me the whole time,” Jett explained. “I dealt directly with Coach Bell, which made me feel special. I felt like they really wanted me.”

He knows there will be challenges.

“I’m going to have to put my down and be able to move some of those big guys up front,” Jett said. “I will also have to adjust to the speed of the game. Any time I talk to people about going to the next level, they tell me adjusting to the speed of the game is the biggest obstacle.”

He feels his experience with Coach Brett Hefner in the Effingham program helped prepare him.

“Coach Hefner preaches toughness and I think that’s the No. 1 thing that will help me,” Jett noted. “The way he has mentally prepared me translates well to the college level.”

Gillum said there is only one other player from the Apollo Conference currently on the Augustana roster. But he believes Hearts teammate Justin Baker will also be committing to Augustana soon.

Jett is the son of Juston and Sara Gillum, of Effingham. He has been playing football in Effingham since joining JFL in the fourth grade. He has played with some of the same teammates ever since that include good friends Nate Shackelford, Logan Brown and Luke Spencer.

He has many good memories to take with him, but nothing tops this past season when the Hearts finished 11-2 and reached the semifinals of the Class 4A playoffs.

“That stretch of games in the playoffs are my favorite memories,” Jett admitted. “I never felt closer to a group of guys. I will never forget that.”