Former Ridgeland standout is now a Division II All-American

Winston-Salem State offensive lineman Jac’Que Polite, a former Ridgeland High standout, has earned a spot on the NCAA Division II Coaches’ All-America team.

Polite, the Rams’ 6-foot-5 left tackle, has been a key contributor as WSSU captured Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association titles each of the past two years. The Rams went 9-3 this past season, losing to LIU-Post in the first round of the Division II playoffs after a furious comeback fell short.

The Rams’ high-octaine offense averaged 393.8 yards and 31.8 points per game in 2016.

Polite, who attended a prep school for two years after graduation, spent a year at Missouri Western before transferring closer to home. He arrived at WSSU as a defensive lineman, but asked the coaching staff for a shift to the offensive line before the end of his first camp.

This story was originally published December 10, 2016 at 9:50 PM with the headline "Former Ridgeland standout is now a Division II All-American."