ATLANTA -- A long day of media interviews had worn Genarlow Wilson down Thursday.

Starting with an early morning appearance on the nationally syndicated radio program, “The Tom Joyner Morning Show,” running through a day of chats with wire services, cable networks and newspapers, Wilson was tired and just wanted to relax and be a regular 21-year-old.

“It’s mentally exhausting,” he said.

But Wilson’s odyssey from a Georgia jail cell to starting the spring semester Jan. 16 as a part-time Morehouse College student is only continuing.

His tale is one of redemption.

And he’s ready.

“I ended up being in an unfortunate situation, but part of being a man is overcoming your wrongs and doing something about it,” Wilson said.  “You stand hard, look adversity in the eye, stand and work at it until you successfully complete it.”

This time last year, Wilson was state prisoner 1187055 in a nationally known case in which he was convicted of aggravated child molestation, but the issue prompted national discussions about fairness and justice in the criminal justice system.

Now, thanks to help from Morehouse administrators, community organizations and the Tom Joyner Foundation, he’ll begin life anew on Jan. 16 when he enrolls at Morehouse College.

“I’m blessed.  The support is overwhelming. There are just no words to express my happiness,” Wilson said.  “They will not be disappointed. Failure is not an option.”

In 2003, Wilson was convicted of the aggravated child molestation of a female 15-year-old, Douglas County (Ga.) High School classmate.  He was 17, a high school football star, the homecoming king and was headed to college that fall.

But during a hotel party with his friends, Wilson was videotaped having consensual oral sex with the girl.       

Under old Georgia law, oral sex with anyone 15 or younger was a felony, punishable to at least 10 years in jail.  Through a strange twist in the law, intercourse between the two would have been a misdemeanor and would have only given Wilson 12 months in jail.