Keith Holcombe Flips from Mississippi State to Alabama

Keith Holcombe told ESPN that "it had always been my dream to play football in the SEC. Since I’ve grown up here in Tuscaloosa and my dad played at Alabama for Coach [Paul] Bryant, my ultimate goal has always been to play for the Crimson Tide." Well it looks like that dream and goal will be coming true.

The Tuscaloosa linebacker gave his verbal commitment to play football for the University of Alabama on Tuesday. It has been a recruiting roller coaster month of July for the Hillcrest senior. On July 19, he attended the Mississippi State football camp and made a verbal commitment to the Bulldogs. Eleven days later, he has flipped to the Crimson Tide.

The reviews are split on the newest Bama commitment. ESPN rates him 4-stars while Scout gives him 2. Rivals and 247sports both give him 3 stars. One thing they can agree on is that he is around 6-3 and 210 pounds. Some may think he is too small to play linebacker but too big for safety. But in this age of the hurry-up/no-huddle (HUNH) offense, might Coach Nick Saban be "inventing" a new linebacker/safety hybrid position?

Holcombe is a sure tackler with a nose for the football. He has excellent field smarts and instincts. Plus, the family heritage isn't so bad either. Father Danny Holcombe played guard and center for the last Bear Bryant teams lettering from 1980-1982.

Keith Holcombe becomes the 17th commitment for the Alabama Class of 2014. He had offers from Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, North Carolina State, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, and Southern Miss among others.