West Lauderdale High School senior running back Noah Nix carries the ball during the Knights’ game against Northeast Lauderdale High School this past season. Nix recently committed to play football at William Penn University.

Noah Nix dazzled on the football field this past season for West Lauderdale High School.

The 5-foot-7, 155-pound tailback dashed around and darted past defenders for 1,354 yards and eight touchdowns during the 2014 campaign.

Last week, Nix propelled his success into a scholarship offer and a commitment to William Penn University in Iowa.

“I committed to them because they are the school that has showed the most interest,” Nix said. “They’re a good school for academics and football. I feel it is a good place for me to attend.”

Nix said the Statesmen coaching staff has let it be known they want to have the West senior contribute in as many different areas as possible.

“They were telling me that I could be a four-year starter on offense or defense (as a defensive back),” Nix said. “They also want me to contribute on special teams. I really like what they have been telling me.”

Nix believes his style of play will transition immediately to the next level.

“When I can get into open space, I am really dangerous,” Nix said. “That’s when I’m at my best, because I can make a lot of defenders miss.”

West Lauderdale coach Stan McCain said Nix isn’t exhaggerating his attributes on both sides of the ball.

“He’s one of those guys that is extremely quick, and he’s got good movement laterally and vertically,” McCain said. “To me, he is more of a slot receiver at the next level. He’s a player that you can do jet-sweeps with and just try to get him out in space.

“Defensively, he’s good out of a backpedal, and he’s got good instincts. We didn’t play him a lot on the defensive side, but when it came down to the end of a game, and we needed somebody to cover, he was out there.”

In addition to Nix’s skillset on the gridiron, McCain said William Penn is getting an equally great person away from it.

“He’s always having a good time,” McCain said. “He’s very likeable, and all the kids like him.”

With his recent commitment to William Penn, Nix said the interest from local schools has picked up, but he remains committed to the Statesmen.

“It’s going to be a good ride (moving to Iowa),” Nix said. “I’ve always wanted to see a different part of the country. It’s going to be a fun challenge.”