Miami was his dream school and he knows a lot about the Hurricane history in Coral Gables, but King Mwikuta is looking to create his own history in Tuscaloosa.

The Rivals 100 outside linebacker announced his commitment to Alabama Friday morning and it is something he has wanted to do for quite some time.

He will keep it to himself no more.

"My mind has been made up since the summer — maybe even before that," said Mwikuta. "I did want to take my time, visit other schools and all that, but I have known for a while that I wanted to commit to Alabama.

"I was there for the Champions Cookout in the summer and that is when I told coach [Nick] Saban that I was coming. It was in my heart and after I talked to my coach, I went to talk to coach Saban.

"I told him I was 1000-percent committed, but I wanted to wait for a special day to announce it. Today I turn 17 years old, so this is the special day for me."

Now that Mwikuta has let it his commitment out, he can't put into words how it feels.

"I honestly feel like a man. It is like I am getting married to someone I love. I really can't explain what it feels like right now. I can't believe where I am now and how I still have so much work to do.

"It is just a great feeling."

When the average college football fan thinks about Alabama football under Saban, winning comes to mind first for many. Sure, Mwikuta wants to win on the next level and that appeals to him in Tuscaloosa, but it is more about who he will be around when he gets there.

"I love the people at Alabama. I love them all. I have a great connection with the players, the coaches and just everyone that has anything to do with the program.

"Everyone has one goal there and that is to be successful. They make me feel comfortable and I have always felt at home there."

Florida State and Miami hung in there and Auburn was in and out of this race, but it came down to Alabama and Georgia. He has interest in the home-state Bulldogs, but the decision was really not that hard for the 6-foot-4, 220 pound junior out of Troup County.

"It wasn't that difficult," said Mwikuta. "I liked some other schools, but I really do love Alabama. It is just the right for me and who I am. They are the right fit for me and I am the right fit for me. They are going to make me better all around.

"Alabama is just different. They set their guys up for success. They do everything at a very high standard and I want to be a part of that."