NATCHEZ — In choosing where he wanted to play college football, Trinity Episcopal all-purpose athlete Tip McKenzie said he found a school that plans to utilize him to the fullest.

McKenzie, an upcoming senior, committed Tuesday to the University of Southern Mississippi. He is the fourth prep player to commit to the Golden Eagles for the 2012 signing class.

“It was a perfect fit for me because of the style of offense they play and they way they want to use me,” McKenzie said.

“They run the spread, and they want to use me as an A-back, where they’ll motion me off from the slot to running back, and from running back to slot.”

Because of this, McKenzie said that will allow him to get the most use out of his athleticism.

“The main thing is, they aren’t putting me in open space,” McKenzie said. “With my ability to make plays and make a man miss, that’s good for me.”

McKenzie said he’s been to a lot of Southern Miss games in the past, and has been to at least three or four ever since the Golden Eagles began to recruit him.

“It’s just a good school with great facilities and a great coaching staff,” McKenzie said. “It’s not too far from home, which is also a big factor. Most of my family can easily visit; they don’t have to come a long way to watch me play.”

McKenzie said his relationship with the Southern Miss coaches also played a huge part in his decision to pick the Golden Eagles.

“I really like them all,” he said. “I have a good relationship with all of them. (Head) coach (Larry) Fedora is a really good guy, and a really down-to-earth coach.”

McKenzie said he had always planned to commit before his senior season started, since it would allow him to go ahead and reserve a spot for next spring’s signing class.

“It also lets you focus on your senior season,” McKenzie said.

McKenzie was also drawing interest from Vanderbilt, Indiana, Kansas State, Memphis, Mississippi State and UAB.