STONY BROOK, N.Y. — James Tunstall grew up in a church environment.

During his childhood, his father, also James, served as an elder at Faith Assembly of Christ in Upper Marlboro, Md.

And once Tunstall turned high school age, the family relocated to Southern Maryland so his father could serve as a pastor.

The family started its own ministry, New Creation Apostolic Ministries, in Accokeek, Md. Tunstall's mother Rhonda serves as the church's first lady.

The church foundation has helped translate into Tunstall's leadership role with the Stony Brook football team.

Tunstall, a 6-foot-5, 305-pound redshirt junior offensive lineman, was selected by head coach Chuck Priore to serve as the Seawolves' representative on Colonial Athletic Association diversity calls. The student-athletes from throughout the CAA share ideas from different campuses.

"He's really seen the passion I've had with these kind of matters," Tunstall said about Priore's nomination.

Tunstall, dedicating last season to a childhood friend affected by a central nervous system disorder, played in all 12 games and started nine at offensive tackle. That resulted in a HERO Sports FCS Sophomore All-American first-team selection. And it validated his decision to transfer to Stony Brook from UConn.

"That was a tremendous achievement," Tunstall said. "Honestly, it hit me like, 'Wow, I got a really nice accolade that I really worked hard for.' It's very satisfying to see your hard work pay off. I do have dreams and aspirations of making it to the next level. And I feel like that accolade will definitely help me out in the future."

Tunstall originally had committed to Stony Brook out of Henry E. Lackey High School in Maryland. But a subsequent offer from UConn prompted Tunstall to change course.

"Throughout the high school recruiting process, the one school that really stuck out to me the most was Stony Brook — just the way they pursued me and the way they showed me they wanted me to be a part of their family," he said. "I took an official visit there and had ended up committing on the official visit."

With the Huskies after the redirection, Tunstall redshirted as a freshman in 2017, then appeared in five games the following season. He felt he merited more opportunities, and potentially a starting role, and ultimately landed with the Seawolves after entering the transfer portal.

"Definitely Stony Brook stuck out again because I had a previous relationship with them," he said. "They had already recruited me. I had already toured the facilities and knew the coaching staff for the most part."

Tunstall made his first collegiate start in Week 2 last season, at FBS opponent Utah State. That challenge hardly proved intimidating. After all, while at UConn, Tunstall had made his collegiate debut the previous season against Syracuse.

"I did really well that game, and it gave me the confidence I needed for the rest of the year," Tunstall said regarding his performance in Logan, Utah.

Tunstall is on track to graduate in May with a bachelor's degree in multidisciplinary studies. He may extend his undergraduate studies through December 2021 because he has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Or he may begin a master's degree while completing his collegiate playing career.

"I've always been very confident in myself," Tunstall said. And I've always really just wanted the opportunity to be on the field and play. Transferring here, I was given that opportunity. The beginning of camp last year, Aug. 1, was my first Stony Brook practice. And I continued to get better and continued to get experience and continued to be the player I know I can be."