Alford commits to Southern Miss

Southern Miss picked up a big commitment today during the U.S. Army All-American game. Petal (Miss.) quarter-back Anthony Alford pledged his future services to the Golden Eagles. The commitment is a double dose of good news for the Golden Eagles as the talented two-sport star plans to play both football and baseball for the Black and Gold.

"I think I am going to stay at home with my family and go to the University of Southern Mississippi," Alford said.

Alford is ranked the No. 4 dual-threat quarter-back prospect in the nation by Rivals.com and the he is a two time high school All-American baseball player according to perfect game.

He is also the third U.S. Army All-American to commit to Southern Miss in the last five years. Ocean Springs (Miss.) wide reciever DeAndre Brown was the first back in 2008 and Lawrence County (Miss.) High running back Kendrick Hardy in 2009.

As a senior Alford led Petal to the 6A South State Championship, falling in the state championship game by two points in a controversial finish.

Along the way he passed for 2,058 yards with 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 1,731 yards and 24 touchdowns.

As a junior on the baseball diamond he missed Petal's first 11 games recovering from a football injury, but then proved why he's considered the best baseball prospect in the state. His .451 batting average led the Panthers and his 25 RBI's were good enough for second on the team despite missing those first 11 games. He also hit four home runs which tied for first on the squad.

Alford selected Southern Miss over a Who's Who list of college football programs from across the South that included - Alabama, Clemson, LSU, Mississippi, Miss State, Nebraska, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Stay locked on BigGoldNation.com for complete coverage of Southern Miss football recruiting.