Cheney's done with recruiting, commits to Alabama

Rashad Cheney was scheduled to take official visit No. 1 to Penn State in two weeks, but that visit to Happy Valley is no longer going to take place.

The only place the four-star defensive lineman out of Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove plans to visit from here on out is Tuscaloosa.

"I have committed to Alabama and I am not going to visit any other schools," said Cheney. "I am done with recruiting. I have made my decision and I am going to Alabama."

Not only is this a special day to Cheney, but for his entire family for multiple reasons. The commitment is one, but the day he chose to do it on is a special one too — it's his mother's birthday.

He did this for her.

"I am one of the few in my family to go to college, so to be able to commit on my mom's birthday is something special. She is very happy for me. She is very happy about my decision and this is for her."

Nick Saban is happy too.

A visit to see Saban and his staff last weekend changed everything.

"I knew I would like Alabama, but my visit there last week was a lot better than I expected it be. It was not my plan to go there and like it as much as I did, but I loved it.

"I got to see a lot of Alabama and it is all great. I talked with coach Saban for about 35-40 minutes at the end of the visit and it was great.

"He talked to me about how he liked me as a player and that meant a lot coming from him, one of the best coaches in the country. He does not care about my size, but he thinks I am a great player that can play and move.

"That stood out a lot to me."

Cheney's mind was made up that day, but he wanted to wait until April 5, his mother's birthday, to make it official.

"I am done," said Cheney. "It feels great to be committed to Alabama. It means a lot that coach Saban gave me a committable offer and I will make sure it pays off for him.

"That weight room is going to be my best friend and I know the coaches are going to push me, so I can't wait to get there.

"I trust Saban, his staff and everyone thereto develop me and make me the best I can be. They will turn me into a man on and off the field. I am excited."

The new 'Bama commit is getting to know new defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski and they think highly of each other. Cheney has been in regular contact with Kuligowski in recent weeks and defensive lineman thinks he can be turned into a "beast" by the new coach.

Cheney plans to be in T-Town for the Alabama spring game and he will arrive there as a commitment.