McKinney surprises in commitment

Xavier McKinney, Rivals100 safety from Roswell High School in Georgia, surprised many on Sunday when he announced his commitment to the University of Alabama.

The former Crimson Tide commitment was expected to choose between Alabama and Clemson. Most assumed McKinney was ready to announce for Clemson based on all the talk in Orlando this week at the All-America game practices.

"It was definitely down to the wire," McKinney said after his announcement. "It was a tough decision. At the end of the day I just went through everything. I talked to God and made my decision.

"I decided I needed to go where I felt my heart was. I knew everything about all the schools. I just went where my heart felt."

Alabama has produced several All-Americans in the defensive backfield. Two former Crimson Tide safeties will head to the Pro Bowl this year in Landon Collins and HaHa Clinton-Dix. Top recruits like McKinney take notice.

"They win and produce people," he said. "I think I have a great opportunity as far as playing time goes as long as I go in and work hard. That's how I will go about that."

McKinney is finishing one more class and does not believe he can get to Tuscaloosa before February. For today, he's happy to have his name added to Alabama's commitment list.

"I really just made my decision this week," McKinney said. "I thought about it when I had some free time. Clemson was in the first position. I just had some more thinking to do. I think I shocked a lot of people."