Raekwon Davis Remains Committed to Alabama but Is 'Open to Being Recruited'

NEW ORLEANS — It didn't take long for Alabama defensive tackle commit Raekwon Davis to get noticed at The Opening New Orleans regional. As someone who measured at 6'7½" and 314 pounds, Davis usually is the first one to get noticed—and the first one to be critiqued if he's at a camp or combine.

Davis made sure his play at The Opening kept the criticism at bay Saturday, and the 3-star lineman not only won the event's defensive lineman MVP award but also earned an invitation to The Opening national competition this summer in Oregon.

"It's just a great feeling. I'm just blessed with the opportunity," Davis said. "I've worked so hard, and nothing has come easy, so it's great to be apart of an elite group."

Before earning his invite, Davis discussed his recruiting process and the next steps in finalizing his college plans. Although he is committed to the Crimson Tide, Davis, who is from Meridian, Mississippi, said he will visit Mississippi State this week.

"I just like the family atmosphere there and how the coaches care about the players not only on the field but off the field," Davis said of Mississippi State. "I'm still pretty solid with Alabama; I'm just open to being recruited because it's still early in the process."

Unofficial visits to Starkville are nothing new for Davis, as he has been on campus a few times. The same can be said about Alabama, as Davis has camped at Alabama and been to a few home games.

It may be premature to say Davis is looking at other schools, but the big lineman is keeping the door of his recruiting process ajar. He was recruited to Alabama by both defensive line coach Bo Davis and running backs coach Burton Burns, but he also is being recruited to Mississippi State by recruiting coordinator/safeties coach Tony Hughes.

Davis understands that his choice is, as he called it, "a life-changing decision," and he said he doesn't want to have any regrets by not taking visits. Alabama fans shouldn't feel slighted, as Davis added he plans on taking another visit to Alabama next week.

Ole Miss, as an in-state school, is an option to keep an eye on in Davis' process. Florida is also a school to watch, as the Gators are the latest to offer.

The winning school, Davis said, will have a healthy combination of intangibles—one that he feels Alabama possesses.

"I want a school that is dedicated to hard work on and off the field," Davis said. "[I want] a school that has players around me who play with confidence, know what it takes to win and know how to win in the big games and in the classroom."

Davis is ranked the nation's No. 31 defensive tackle and the No. 17 player from the state of Mississippi. Other reported offers include South Carolina and Louisiana Tech.

Damon Sayles is a national recruiting analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles.