UPDATE: Alabama Recruiting Update: Tide Gets Pledge From Big Safety

With nine days remaining is spring, the Crimson Tide has picked up their 15th commitment in 4-star safety DeMarcco Hellams. The announcement came during his official visit to Alabama on Monday.

At 6-1 and 203 lbs, Hellams already has the body of a ready-to-play safety. He shares the exact measurements with Minkah Fitzpatrick. His game resembles the former Bama All-American safety as well. The athletic Hellams is a hard-hitter with a nose for the ball. He is a smart and disciplined safety who is not afraid of contact or dislodging a pigskin. What really stands out is the way he covers ground in the open field and closes the gap on opponents.

247sports Comp ranks him as the number 92 overall player and No. 4 safety. Rivals has him at No. 83 overall. Hellams is also a standout receiver but has decided defense is his best route to the NFL.

Hellams comes to the Tide from powerhouse DeMatha Catholic in Hyattsville, Maryland - the same program that produced former Tide and current NFL offensive linemen Cyrus and Arie Kouandjio.

Recruiting in the Mid-Atlantic and especially Maryland continues to pay off for Alabama. The dynamic duo of Mike Locksley and Josh Gattis are credited with this commitment. Hellams looked like a lock to land in Clemson, but a second visit to Tuscaloosa sealed the deal.

“I loved the environment that is created by the players and coaches of accountability, and a culture that is built on developing boys to be young men,” Hellams told BamaOnLine after he took an unofficial visit to Tuscaloosa back in March. “The practice was fast, fast, fast movement everywhere up tempo, no time wasted, and people doing their jobs.”

With this commitment, Alabama remains the top 2019 recruiting class and further distances themselves from the other schools.

UPDATE: Hellams could be joined by teammate Nick Cross, also a 4-star safety and No. 56 overall in the nation. If his Twitter account is any indication, Alabama might be a favorite.