McKinney commits to Alabama

Alabama fans may not have gotten the result they wanted on Saturday against Ole Miss, but it appears the game's electric environment is already paying dividends on the recruiting trail. Class of 2017 three-star Roswell, Ga. safety Xavier McKinney visited Tuscaloosa over the weekend, and saw everything he needed to see in order to make his college choice.

"I'm committed to Alabama," the 6-foot-1, 185-pound defensive back said Wednesday. "I want to make sure I do it now because I feel it's a good place for me and it's a place where I think they can get me to the next level as a player."

After turning heads at camps over the summer, McKinney has netted several offers, including Clemson, South Carolina and Tennessee. But he said the lure of playing for The Tide was too much to pass up.

"Just being up there felt right," said McKinney, who has visited Alabama three times over the past three months. "The atmosphere, their campus and their coaching staff. It was a special feeling when I went up there and that kind of is what led me to this decision."

While Alabama didn't come away with the victory, McKinney said being on campus for a huge game was special and that's something he wants to be a part of as a player in the future.

"It was a crazy atmosphere just being in the stadium," McKinney said. "Seeing all the people before the game on campus walking around, it was just a crazy feeling. You can tell they really love their school there."

Despite the tough loss, McKinney said both head coach Nick Saban and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart took time to chat with McKinney after the game.

"It was great to get to talk to both of them and for them to take time even after a game like that," McKinney said. "Coach Smart has already told me that I would be a good fit because of my length and that's what they look for in defensive backs. That's what they love about me and that's why they want me."

With just five offers, there figures to be plenty of more twists and turns in McKinney's recruitment. But he said the time was right and he plans on sticking wih his decision.

"At first I was thinking I should wait it out, but then I felt like I should make the decision now because Alabama is a great place and the place for me," he said. "They can get me where I want to go and that's to be able to play at the next level. They've produced a lot of NFL players and I feel like this a great program for me to play in and develop and get better."

McKinney is commitment No. 7 in the Tide's 2017 class. He joins Rivals100 Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove offensive guard Netori Johnson as players from the state of Georgia in the class.