Former King’s Fork High School standout Chris Shearin is excited about his opportunity to play for the University of Missouri.

From Virginia to Florida and now to Missouri, the Suffolk native has had his fair share of traveling and adjusting in the last couple of years. After enrolling at Missouri early, back in January, Shearin was able to get a leg up on what he needed to learn to get on the field.

“The spring went great,” Shearin said. “I was able to get in the playbook early, which was a blessing. I just want to come in and help my teammates be successful in any way that he can.”

Shearin admitted he wasn’t focused on coming in and trying to grab a starting spot as a true freshman. He also wasn’t worried so much about if he will redshirt or not — whatever is asked of him, he’ll do. Shearin was a high-profile recruit for Missouri, as he finished his high school career as a three-star, nationally ranked defensive back.

“I just want to come in being teachable and coachable,” he said. “I’m not worried too much about accolades or anything, really. I just want to be the best teammate I can be.”

After spending three years at King’s Fork, where he started as a freshman, Shearin transferred down to football powerhouse IMG Academy in Florida for his senior season. Shearin said the adjustment period was everything he had asked for when he signed with Mizzou.

“The adjustment is kind of hard, because everything is new,” he said. “There are new people, new places and new cultures, but this is everything I asked for, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

After pulling in offers from major and mid-major NCAA Division I schools, Shearin said when he visited Missouri, it felt like home. Shearin and the Tigers will be viewed highly across the country, and the Southeastern Conference that the team plays in is considered by many the best in the country.

While he is off to Mizzou, he still keeps in contact with former Bulldogs. Some of the younger players that were coming up are getting a lot of attention from schools, and Shearin is happy to see those players get the attention they deserve as well.

“Those guys work so hard,” Shearin said. “A lot of those guys pushed me when I was there. Guys like Garrett Williams worked with me every day, so it’s great to see those guys pulling in offers as well.”

Shearin helped the Bulldogs to its first district championship in 2017 and was an All-District, All-Region and All-State selection.