STARKVILLE — Taveze Calhoun didn’t know what his future held for him when he graduated from Morton High School.

He arrived at Mississippi State as an underrated cornerback, but that never affected his

attitude or his work ethic on or off the field.

“I always look back to where I came from and not being highly recruited,” Calhoun said. “Being a three-year starter and having unbelievable opportunities, it’s crazy. God has been real good to me. I’m just humbled and blessed to be in the position I am today.”

As a team captain, Calhoun was counted on for his leadership. But Calhoun’s attitude about his education was especially useful for the younger players to see. The fact that Calhoun was one of 12 national finalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is known as the “Academic Heisman” and is the most prestigious academic award in college football, solidified his status as a leader on and off the field.

Calhoun will provide that example as MSU (8-4) continues its preparations for North Carolina State (7-5) in the Belk Bowl at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30 (ESPN), in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Calhoun, who already has an undergraduate degree, earned an $18,000 post graduate scholarship as a finalist for the Campbell Trophy. In his first trip to New York, Calhoun toured Manhattan with the other Campbell Trophy finalists and visited Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center.

“It was amazing,” Calhoun said. “It was probably one of the greatest experiences in my life thus far. I really enjoyed it a lot. I think every day was amazing. At first, I was amazed at the buildings.”

Calhoun helped the Morton High School Panthers to the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A playoffs as a junior and senior. As a junior, helped lead Morton to a 13-2 record and a trip to the South State finals, where it lost to eventual champion Tylertown.

Morton, which is located in Scott County, had a population of 3,482 during the 2000 consensus. But a small-town upbringing didn’t prevent Calhoun from big things. On his trip to New York, he had a chance to Dr. Condoleezza Rice, the former United States Secretary of State, and Jerry Jones, the owner of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.

He said the best piece of advice he received came from a former Ole Miss Rebel.

“I talked to Archie Manning, and he told me I am on the right path,” Calhoun said. “He told me not to get overwhelmed with everything and continue to work hard. It’s small, but it meant a lot coming from him.”

Calhoun also said Manning told him to continue to do things the way he has been doing them.

This season hasn’t always been easy for members of MSU’s secondary. Calhoun and fellow senior Will Redmond had the most experience of secondary players returning, but Redmond was injured midway through the season. Senior safety Kendrick Market was also injured and young players had to step into vital roles around Calhoun. Calhoun also had to take on more of a leadership role. He responded with 37 tackles (six-and-a-half for loss), two interceptions, and seven pass breakups. Calhoun was redshirted as a freshman in 2011 and saw action in all 13 games in a special teams and backup cornerback role in 2012. He became a starter as a sophomore.

Calhoun hopes he will get a chance to play in the NFL. He is considered one of the top cornerbacks in the league’s draft in April.

As much as he would love to play in the NFL, Calhoun knows the importance of education. He said he is on track to get a master’s degree in August.

“I really want to finish my (master’s) degree and maybe go back to school and get another degree,” Calhoun said. “I’m just trying to use all of my resources to the best of my ability. I don’t want to take any shortcuts. I want to get as much education as I can so I can be better prepared for when football ends.”

Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait

Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.