How Community Christian's Bai Jobe beat the odds to become Michigan State football signee

NORMAN — Bai Jobe darted around the basketball court at his home where his signing ceremony was set to take place.

He was at the free-throw line, he was at mid-court, then he was along the baseline.

The former basketball star wasn’t chasing a basketball or performing drills. No, the 6-foot-5, 215-pound Jobe was making an effort to individually greet everyone who’s helped him on his unprecedented journey to his signing day.

“The dream I’ve been dreaming all the time is coming true,” Jobe said.

More:National Signing Day: Millwood's Rickey Hunt Jr. 'getting to my dreams quicker' at Ohio

His adopted parents and siblings, English tutor, football coach, trainer, teammates, and even his barber were in attendance. For Jobe, he knew he wouldn’t have made it this far without the support of his circle. Tears were shed and hugs were given as everyone realized Jobe had reached his accomplishments despite every challenge he faced coming to America just five years ago.

Surrounded by his family and friends, the Community Christian defensive end signed his national letter of intent to play football at Michigan State on Wednesday morning.

After Sue and Dr. Jim Bond adopted Jobe, he left his homeland of Senegal, Africa, for a better education and a chance to play basketball in an organized setting for the first time. On his journey, he’s had to battle through a language barrier, cultural differences and the untimely death of his biological mother thousands of miles away.

But in just five years, Jobe has learned a new language, traded in his basketball for a sport he never imagined he’d be playing and has become one of the most sought-after prospects in the nation.

“His story in so many ways is unbelievable, if we weren’t in the middle of it,” Community Christian athletic director and football coach Mat McIntosh said. “The fact that he never watched a football game until he went with his dad to go cover (as the sideline doctor during a Norman High School game). ... Four years ago, for him, this was not even conceivable.”

More:National Signing Day tracker: Oklahoma State football signees, 2023 recruiting rankings

Jobe had offers from Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M, Miami and many other Power 5 programs. He had his pick to go wherever he wanted to continue his football career. So, as a kid from the heated temperatures in Africa who didn’t experience snow until his arrival in Oklahoma five years ago, why Michigan State?

“I just started playing football," Jobe said, "and I feel like the (Michigan State) coaches can get me to the next level. Any college you go it’s going to be hard some days. But I feel like I was meant for that hard time and to be able to handle it. I’m trying to be the man for sure."

Jobe knows he won’t be alone in adapting to the colder temperatures. He mentioned a lot of his new teammates are from Florida and other warmer states.

As McIntosh watched Jobe sign his letter, he remembered Jobe’s first football practice. Jobe came into the weight room with his helmet and shoulder pads on and looked at himself in the mirror. Through laughter, Jobe said, “I never dreamed I would wear this armor.”

Now, Jobe will be off to the Under Armour All-American Game. He’s graduating early from Community Christian, where he’ll forego his senior season of basketball to get ready for Michigan State. Although some of the details are different, he’s accomplished his dream.

For his home in the states, he has his parents Sue and Jim Bond to thank. For his English comprehension, he has his grandmother and English tutor Carol Bond-Tiger to thank. For his football skills, he has his coach, McIntosh, and trainer, Cooper, to thank.

“I thought it was going to be in basketball,” Jobe said of his signing. “But I feel like God’s been blessing me and putting some good people around me and been blessing me with a lot of good things for sure. But I never thought it was going to be football."

James D. Jackson covers high school sports across the Oklahoma City metro and state. Have a story idea for James? He can be reached at jjackson@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @JamesDJackson15. Support James' work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.

More:Friday Night Lights: One player's journey from Africa led him to a football future in Oklahoma

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Michigan State football: Bai Jobe joins Spartans' 2023 signing class