Xavier McKinney Commits to Alabama: How 4-Star Fits Tide's Scheme

Alabama's push for getting quality players for its 2017 class has been respectable but one-sided. Entering the week, the Crimson Tide had five offensive players committed in the class, and a sixth, 4-star Chadarius Townsend, has the ability to play on either side of the ball as well as special teams.

Wednesday afternoon gave Alabama a much-needed commit in the secondary, as Roswell, Georgia, 4-star safety Xavier McKinney gave his verbal commitment to head coach Nick Saban and the Alabama staff.

McKinney is the seventh pledge of Alabama's 2017 class, and he chose the Tide over Clemson, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.

Credit: 247Sports

McKinney, the nation's No. 13-ranked safety in the class, took an unofficial visit to Tuscaloosa over the weekend for the Alabama-Ole Miss game.

Although the Tide took the loss, McKinney told Rivals.com's Woody Wommack that being on campus "felt right," and the atmosphere played its role in him making a decision now rather than later.

He added:

"

At first I was thinking I should wait it out but then I felt like I should make the decision now because Alabama is a great place and the place for me. They can get me where I want to go and that's to be able to play at the next level. They've produced a lot of NFL players, and I feel like this a great program for me to play in and develop and get better.

"

Alabama has had its share of defensive backs make it to the NFL, most recently safeties Landon Collins (New York Giants) and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (Green Bay Packers). Through Saban, defensive coordinator Kirby Smart and defensive backs coach Mel Tucker, McKinney is hoping to one day follow in those footsteps.

At 6'1" and 185 pounds, McKinney has good size for a safety, but it's his aggressiveness and overall instincts on the field that may get him early playing time in college. 

He fits the Alabama scheme as a ball hawk who can play each down as either a hard hitter or coverage back creating turnovers via interceptions.

Collins and Clinton-Dix were aggressive safeties at Alabama, and they were rewarded with various accolades and ultimately NFL checks. McKinney would love to have similar success.

It's early in recruiting for 2017, but McKinney is an important get for Alabama as the program looks to re-establish itself as the team highest on the recruiting pedestal.

McKinney joins an already-talented class that includes the nation's top-ranked running back in 5-star Najee Harris, Mississippi's top-ranked player in 4-star running back Cam Akers and a massive interior lineman in 6'5", 330-pound guard Netori Johnson.

Those three can be leaders on the offensive side of the ball. McKinney can be a leader for Alabama's defense.

He told Wommack that he had a chance to converse with both Saban and Smart after Saturday's game against Ole Miss.

"It was great to get to talk to both of them and for them to take time even after a game like that," he said. "Coach Smart has already told me that I would be a good fit because of my length and that's what they look for in defensive backs. That's what they love about me, and that's why they want me."

Look for McKinney to not only be a leader on the field but also someone who can help Alabama recruit the state of Georgia, a state loaded with talent. The Tide already have two recruits from Georgia in McKinney and Johnson.

If all works out, McKinney's commitment could be the start of something that will help Alabama retake the No. 1 spot in recruiting—a position the program has held since 2011 and is trying to keep with its 2016 class, currently ranked No. 5.

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings and recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports. Follow Damon via Twitter @DamonSayles.