Riverside Ramona offensive lineman Nathan Smitley has accepted a scholarship offer from Truman State University, Rams coach Bob Monk said Wednesday afternoon.

Truman State University is a Division II college in Kirksville, Mo. The college formerly was known as Northeast Missouri State.

Smitley will sign his letter of intent Thursday at 2 p.m. during an assembly in the gym. Monk said Smitley is Ramona's first football scholarship recipient in nearly a decade.

"Nathan showed a lot of dedication and worked very hard for this," Monk said.

Monk said Smitley's parents had discussed the possibility moving to Missouri upon the graduation of their son. A handful of other family members also live there.

"It kind of worked out perfectly for everybody," Monk said

Smitley also will be Ramona's representative at the National Football Federation's Scholar Athlete's banquet March 14. Monk said Smitley has a 4.2 grade-point average.