Hartselle High senior Dax Gillespie signs a letter of intent to play football for Cumberland University, Seated with him are his parents, David and Patti Gillespie. Standing, from left, are head coach Bob Godsey and assistant coach and defensive coordinator Larry Peck. | Clif Knight

Hartselle High School senior Dax Gillespie is taking his football and baseball careers to the college level.

Gillespie signed a scholarship with Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tenn. to play football. He also hopes to play baseball for the NAIA school.

Gillespie’s signing took place in the school cafeteria and was witnessed by his teammates and senior athletes from other sports.

Gillespie was recruited as a defensive back after playing a key role for Hartselle’s Tigers as a rover during his junior and senior years. Before that he played for the Decatur Red Raiders as a freshman and sophomore.

As a member of Hartselle’s 2011-2012 state championship team he made 94 tackles and intercepted five passes, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He was recognized as an all-area and all-state honorable mention player.

Gillespie is also an outfielder and pitcher for the Hartselle Tigers’ baseball team.

Gillespie said he is looking forward to having the opportunity to play football and possibly baseball at the next level.

“That’s what I played for,” he said. “Cumberland is a small college but I liked what I saw when I visited there. It felt a lot like home.”

Gillespie said he’ll enroll at the school next fall and plans to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner.

“Dax has been a very good player for us,” said head football coach Bob Godsey. “His biggest asset is his ability to make plays. When we really needed someone to step up and make a big play, he was able to do it. There’s no double he has the skills and ability to play at the next level.

“We’re all proud of Dax and appreciate all he has done for our program,” Godsey added. “We wish him well.”

Head baseball coach William Booth agreed with Godsey.

“He’s a very competitive young man,” Booth said. “He can do anything he wants to do.”

Gillespie is the son of David and Patti Gillespie.