MURFREESBORO Tyler Black grew up watching Tennessee State football games.

Next season he’ll be playing for the Ohio Valley Conference school located in Nashville.

Black, a 5-feet-9, 175-pound Oakland senior, committed to TSU, where he was recruited as a defensive back. He is the fifth Rutherford County high school football player to commit to a school for the 2015 class.

“I’m really excited about it,” Black said. “My family has always gone there. A lot of my family have attended there.

“It’s just big for the tradition. I’ve gone to their games since I was a little kid. I’ve always gone to things there. I’ve always gone to the homecoming parade, pep rallies and things like that. It’s also big for being close because a lot of my family lives in Murfreesboro or Nashville.”

Black also had offers from Austin Peay and Eastern Michigan. Commitments are nonbinding for the athlete and the school.

“It’s beneficial for me to stay here with a home crowd,” Black said. “I feel like I get along well with the coaches. They are really great.”

Black cannot sign until Feb. 4. Oakland (5-1) does not play this week.

Black said he likes what coach Rod Reed is doing with the TSU program. The Tigers are 4-1 this season and have won three straight games. They are ranked No. 21 in the Football Championship Subdivision/

“Coach Reed has done a great job with the program, not just on the field but off the field as well,” said Black, who is undecisive on his college major. He said he wants to either study marketing or engineering. “He wants you to get your work done off the field before you get on the field.”

Black is the fourth commitment from fourth-ranked Oakland to commit to a college, joining offensive lineman Jack Jones (Tennessee), Kyle Oliver (Tennessee) and Josh Smith (Vanderbilt). He is one of 10 Oakland football players with college football offers.

Black, who has been a starter since his sophomore season, is expected to play either at corner or safety at TSU. He has played in the Patriots’ secondary since his sophomore season.

This season Black has played in the Oakland secondary, running back, receiver and quarterback in the Patriots’ wildcat package.

Black has 18 tackles this season with a pair of interceptions. He also has 280 rushing yards on 47 carries on offense and has been a player on punt returns and kickoff returns in the past.

Black missed more than half of the 2013 season when he broke his leg in a non-district game with Arlington.