By Michael Lindsay
Stone Memorial senior Nick Osmun signed to play at the next level Tuesday morning as the Panther football and baseball standout will be playing both sports at Cumberland University.
“I feel great,” said Osmun. “They’re going to give me a shot at both sports, and I feel really good about going there. It feels right.” They were really understanding with what sports I play. Cumberland really stood out to me; the campus and environment were really nice.”
Cumberland University is located in Lebanon and competes in the NAIA’s Mid-South Conference.
“It’s awesome,” said Stone Memorial head coach Derik Samber. “Days like today are just the beginning for Nick; I know bigger things are ahead for him. Nick is obviously deserving.”
After two seasons at receiver and defensive back, Osmun started his senior season at quarterback for the Panthers and was named TSWA All-State in Class 4A along with the Region 4-4A Most Outstanding Quarterback.
“We’ve had some really good quarterbacks,” said Samber. “We’ve had 3 all-state kids in the 6 years I’ve been here. Physically, Nick looks the part; he just looks like a next-level quarterback. His arm talent translates from baseball and we knew early on he had potential. I really think he’s going to go and push for playing time.”
“Last year I didn’t start (at quarterback),” added Osmun. “I really took it personal and worked harder. Really in the first game against Cookeville, I noticed I can do this and it’s really a possibility.”
Along with his football accolades, Osmun was named to the baseball All-District 7-3A team while batting .431 with 44 hits and 29 RBIs as a junior. Osmun still has his senior season on the diamond at Stone Memorial ahead of him.
Osmun plans to study in the exercise health field while playing for the Phoenix.
“Kinesiology,” Osmun said. “I want to do physical training.”
“He’s got to take care of the classwork side,” added Samber. “I think that’s a bigger transition for kids than the football side. We know what he’s capable of academically and athletically.”
A native of California, Osmun and his family moved to Crossville in 2020.
“Stone means a lot to me,” Osmun said. “They were really accepting of me.”
