R100 OT Petitbon chooses Alabama

The only thing surprising about Rivals100 offensive tackle Richie Petitbon's commitment to Alabama is the timing. The Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga star committed to the Crimson Tide on Friday while on campus after previously stating he was going to wait a while.

"We flew down to Alabama this morning," said the 6-foot-4, 296-pound Petitbon. "We stopped on campus this morning and got something to eat. The whole family met with coach Saban, coach Cristobal and coach Thompson. We were talking and I said to coach Saban that I am ready to come to Alabama and this is the place I see myself for the next four years. I'm excited about it and I'm committed Alabama."

Petitbon knew he would be committing to Alabama before he stepped foot on campus today.

"I went down today after planning this trip for a while and I knew I was going to commit today," he said. "Alabama is a school I've been following for a while and is a school I really love. I decided to make my decision to come down here to commit. This is where I want to further my education and football career."

Petitbon has the upmost respect for Nick Saban, who was very excited when Petitbon broke the news to him.

"I spoke to coach Saban on Tuesday night to confirm that I would be visiting today," Petitbon said. "I told him I was going to have some very good news for him. He was just really excited today when we were talking. It was awesome. We stood up and everybody was giving big hugs.

"He's usually quiet and mellow I guess but after I told him the news he was the most excited I've ever seen him," he said. "He got up and gave me a hug and said welcome to the family. It was great."

Maryland, Penn State, LSU and many others were trying very hard to recruit Petitbon.