WESSON — College isn’t just an adjustment for Robert Wells in the sense of living away from home and going to class periodically.

The former Jefferson County High School running back has to learn a whole new offensive system at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, where he’ll be suiting up this fall. Wells began classes Aug. 11, and he said he’s expecting to see some playing time, even though he’s just a freshman.

Co-Lin runs the spread, Wells said, as opposed to Jefferson County, which ran multiple offensive sets, including the shotgun, wildcat, option and I formation.

“In the spread, all the running plays will be cut backs. In high school, all of the running plays would be straight up the middle or through the outside,” Wells said.

Off the field, attending class at different times of the day is also an adjustment, Wells said.

“There’s a whole lot of difference,” Wells said. “You can get more rest time or more time to study.

“College classes are also a lot shorter and easier, because the teachers will help you in any kind of way you need to be helped.”

Wells said he will rotate with former Natchez High School running back Joel Davis this fall, and he said he’s playing with several other Miss-Lou athletes. Among those is DeVonte Scott, the former Ferriday High School all-purpose athlete.

“Me and him are like best friends,” Wells said. “It’s good to play with him, because we’re both so competitive. We make each other better.”

Wells said he still keeps up with his former coaches at Jefferson County, including assistant coach Harry Brown and head coach James Herrington. Wells said Herrington has given him great advice.

“He tells me to stay focused and my time will come,” Wells said. “Coach made me a better player (when I played for him), and he taught me to never give up and always stay focused.”

Herrington said he’s also told Wells to not go away from what made him successful in high school.

“He’s an extremely hard worker,” Herrington said. “He was a late bloomer with us his junior and senior year. We brought him over at track and tried him at defensive back, but he just didn’t excel there.”

The Tigers staff eventually moved Wells to receiver at first, but ultimately settled on him as a running back.

“We threw him a toss, and he’s been there ever since,” Herrington said.

Wells’ speed is his main asset, Herrington said, but his work ethic is what really put him over the top in high school.

“He would be in the weight room two to three times a day, and ways always looking for that extra work after practice,” Herrington said.

“We’d have to make him rest. He’s very coachable, and the things that make you successful don’t change from level to level. They can buy supplements and sneakers, but they can’t buy hard work.”

And Herrington said he understands just how special a quality Wells has with his work ethic.

“When you find one guy like that, it’s rare,” Herrington said. “To find several like that at one time, you have to take advantage when you get them.”

Wells said even though he’s a Wolf now, he’ll still be pulling for Jefferson County.

“I hope my Tigers do well this season,” Wells said. “I miss them. I hope they get over the hump and make it to state this year.”