State champion. Two-year All-State selection. Class 1A Lineman of the Year. The Clanton Advertiser All-Area Player of the Year.

Maplesville senior Tyler Armstrong has accomplished just about everything possible at the varsity level of football.

Now, Armstrong will see what he can get done at the next level.

Armstrong signed to play college football for the University of West Alabama at a ceremony May 8 at Maplesville High School.

MHS coach Brent Hubbert said he is excited for Armstrong and believes his preparation for games and his effort on the field made him an attractive prospect for UWA.

“He was doing what he was supposed to be doing,” Hubbert said of Armstrong’s time both on the football field and off it.

During the 2014 season, the linebacker recorded 123 tackles with four sacks, 12 tackles for a loss, a fumble recovery and a touchdown.

The defense on which Armstrong starred shut out seven opponents; the last was a 49-0 win over Hubbertsville in the Class 1A state championship game. The squad allowed only 7.7 points per game through a 15-game season, including the playoffs.

Armstrong said he is familiar with current West Alabama players and visited Tiger Stadium in Livingston for a Homecoming game against Delta State in October 2014.

“I just kind of fell in love with it when I went down there,” Armstrong said. “I loved everything: the coaches, the new weight room and just the atmosphere.”

Though Armstrong will join the team with plenty of accolades from high school, he said he knows nothing is guaranteed at the next level.

“If I want to be out there, I’ve got to earn it,” Armstrong said.