Chapel Hill Offensive Lineman Jeremy West Commits To Northwestern State

Chapel Hill has given Northwestern State a lot to cheer about through a two-day time span.

A day after kicking specialist Austyn Fendrick opted to commit to the Demon's program, teammate Jeremy West decided that was the best fit as well. The senior offensive lineman announced his decision via Twitter on Wednesday evening.

It's a big gain for Northwestern State. West (6-3, 297) picked his future college football home in favor of offers from Louisiana-Lafayette, Alcorn State, Grambling State and Southland Conference rival Stephen F. Austin.

The lineman also enjoyed attention from Oklahoma State and Texas Tech, two schools which could offer him at a later date.

West is a highly regarded lineman within East Texas.

He was one of just 12 at his position group across the region to be invited the ETSN.fm + APEC Football Recruiting Combine in May. Once there, he won the event's Offensive Line Most Valuable Player award.

West impressed with 15 bench press reps at 225 pounds -- second-most among his positional group -- and held his own during a supremely competitive one-on-one session against some of the area’s top pass rushers.

It's not just Chapel Hill sending prospects to Northwestern State. Van defensive end Brice Borgeson, Kilgore offensive lineman Jonathan Hubbard and John Tyler cornerback Ike Warren inked with the program in February.

Desmond Lacey (West Sabine), linebacker Jacob Merriman (Lindale), and offensive lineman Clay Wiley (Kilgore) are other former local players that will be on the Demons' roster this season.

Led by third-year head coach Jay Thomas, Northwestern State posted a 6-6 overall record last season with a 4-4 mark in Southland Conference play. Highlights were a win against Louisiana Tech and an upset of Sam Houston State, which went on to reach the semifinals of the FCS playoffs.

The Demons have reached the FCS postseason six times in program history. Their most recent appearance came in 2004.

West, like all senior high school football players, will become eligible to sign with any school that offers him on Feb. 3.