Patterson High standout athlete Jacob Priester made his college intentions known last month by signing a letter of intent to play football for Linfield University in Oregon.

Priester also received a prestigious honor in recognition of his excellence in academics and athletics — a full financial aide package worth more than $80,000 to attend the school.

“I took a trip up to (Linfield) about a month ago,” Priester said. “After looking at all of my options, I decided that it was the right choice for me.”

Priester’s list of athletic accomplishments began his junior year, when he was named to the Western Athletic Conference’s first team as an offensive lineman.

Last season, Priester was selected to the WAC’s first team as a defensive end and to the league’s second team as a tight end. He was named the conference’s top defensive lineman and also earned an honorable mention as a defensive end on the all-district team.

Off the field, Priester is a Scholar Athlete award recipient and a candidate for Patterson High’s valedictorian, maintaining an overall 4.6 grade-point average.

Priester thanked his parents and coaches for helping him along the way.

“I really want to thank one of my football coaches, Greg Chapman, specifically,” Priester said.

Priester plans on studying pre-medicine.