OL Brandon Kennedy commits to Alabama
Brandon Kennedy, four-star center from Wetumpka High School in Ala., announced his college choice to the University of Alabama on Friday morning.
"It's been great getting all this SEC attention," Kennedy said. "I loved it. I wanted to be a part of the SEC, and it's where I wanted to play my college football.
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"The atmosphere at Alabama was the biggest factor. Alabama has a great atmosphere. It's very family-like. They are also business-like. When it's time to get down to business they do that. The players always treated me well. I had a great time there."
Kennedy was asked his thoughts on joining a long line of offensive line greats in Tuscaloosa.
"It was very important to be a part of great (o-line) dynasty," he said. "I feel I am going to be a great player there, and they will develop me to the best of my ability. They recruited me as a center. I can also play guard. I don't have a preference."
The No.1 center still plans to take official visits in the fall.
"I am going to shut it down for the most part," Kennedy said. "I am still going to take visits through. I want to take all five of my official visits. I plan on graduating in December."
Kennedy informed Alabama offensive line coach Mario Cristobal and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart (recruiting coach) prior to his announcement.
Kennedy is very excited about joining the Crimson Tide's top ranked recruiting class.
"I feel like our class will be great," he said. "We have the No. 1 guard in Lester (Cotton). We also have Richie (Petitbon). I feel like we are going to be really good."
Kennedy becomes commitment No.20 for the Crimson Tide in the 2015 class. He is the fourth offensive line commitment, and all are ranked inside the Rivals250. Alabama has commitments from Lester Cotton and Richie Petitbon who rank as the top two guards in the country. Alabama also has a commitment from Dallas Warmack, who ranks as the No. 11 guard. Kennedy is the top ranked center in the country.
Kennedy reeled in several scholarship offers throughout the year. The bigger ones started to arrive in the spring from schools like Clemson, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Missouri, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech. Kennedy's stock soared after his performance at the Rivals Camp Series in Hoover. He was named one of the top overall offensive linemen in the entire Rivals Camp Series (18 regional camps).
The in-state lineman had dreams of playing for one of the SEC powers within his home state. He needed to have solid camp performances before the Tide and Tigers extended an offer. Alabama signed six offensive linemen including four interior players in the 2014 class. Auburn signed two.
Kennedy had visited Auburn more often than Tuscaloosa the last few years. However, he grew up ann Alabama fan and comes from an Alabama family. The Tide staff extended an offer at its OL/DL camp last month. Auburn offered later the same day.
Kennedy decided to wait. He wanted to make sure he was making the right decision. He visited Alabama on Tuesday and Wednesday with his mother. He spent a lot of time with the coaching staff and current players on the team. However, after the visit he said he knew where he wanted to school a few weeks ago.
The University of Alabama has the No. 1 ranked recruiting class in the country by a wide margin. Kennedy is a tremendous addition to the stellar class especially the offensive line. The Tide has a few key offensive targets who remain including one on the offensive line in Drew Richmond.