Gwinnett Daily Post

Staff Photo: John Bohn Collins Hill High School varsity football players and coaches 2011 season.

Andrew Everett has decided to go from being an Eagle to being a Golden Eagle.

The Collins Hill defensive end gave a verbal commitment to attend the University of Southern Mississippi on a football scholarship shortly after visiting the school's Hattiesburg, Miss., campus last weekend.

"I just loved the campus and the coaches are great," said Everett, who chose the Golden Eagles over other scholarship offers from Ball State, Massachusetts and Georgia State, as well as interest from Wake Forest. "I went and visited there this past weekend, and I fell in love."

USM coaches have apparently also fallen in love with Everett's ability.

The 6-foot-5, 205-pound senior has had a solid 2011 season thus far, with 11 combined tackles and assists, a sack, nine quarterback pressures and a blocked kick through Collins Hill's first four games.

And he is hoping to build further on that success so far before heading off to Southern Miss to compete with the Golden Eagles in Conference USA.

"I'm happy I got (the commitment) done early," Everett said. "The pressure is off me now. I don't have to worry about it. (Conference USA) is a good conference to go and compete. I'm excited."