FREE: James Proche talks transfer, relationship with Kyle Kearns
At the end of last week SMU commit James Proche transferred from Prime Prep to powerhouse DeSoto in the midst of numerous issues that have arisen at his former school.
Proche told PonyPride that DeSoto seemed like a natural fit but he did consider other schools.
Advertisement
"I live in DeSoto, I played Little League in DeSoto, I know a lot of the players that go there so I guess why not DeSoto?" Proche said. "Cedar Hill and Bishop Dunne were also up there but I went with DeSoto."
Two-a-days for DeSoto start Monday so the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Proche is getting right to work. He is excited about the change to a bigger stage with his new high school.
"That big stage, Texas high school football 6A, playing in front of big crowds, being a Texas high school football player," Proche said. "I feel like I missed out on that and now it's a blessing.
"I love it. I line up against a lot of these guys at camps but now it'll be a challenge to go up against new competition. It's fun. It's fun competing, it's fun to go up against kids you know. You want to go up against the best and that's what you live for as an athlete."
Though there has been a good deal of uncertainty surrounding his future, the three-star recruit has still managed to stay in shape for the season, including starting to work out with his new teammates in preparation for this week.
"I made the decision on Sunday, we just didn't make the announcement until (Friday) so since Monday I've been at DeSoto working out," Proche said.
SMU wide receivers coach Jason Phillips has been in contact with Proche throughout the process of changing schools, talking with each other one to two times a week.
"I've been talking to coach Phillips. I was supposed to go to a fall practice (on Friday) but I didn't make it," Proche said. "He already heard about the news so I'll probably call him. He knew before a lot of people actually so I just need to tell him it's official."
As well as talking with the SMU coaches, Proche has been building a relationship with the other members of SMU's 2015 recruiting class. A number of them interact on Twitter, tagging each other in pictures of SMU's football facilities and other posts.
In particular, Proche has been building a relationship with his future quarterback.
"We're pretty close-knit. I'm really close with Kyle Kearns, the quarterback. We talk a lot, at least three to four times a week about rebuilding SMU, trying to put it back on top and everything," Proche said. "He's pretty excited to play with me and I'm dang-sure excited to be playing with him."
Proche originally planned on being an early-enrollee at SMU but things have changed.
"Due to all of this happening, I couldn't finish summer courses so I'm going to stick it out for the rest of my senior year," Proche said.