The hour was late but the news was good for the University of Alabama football program on Tuesday night.
The Crimson Tide received its 19th commitment for its 2019 recruiting class just before midnight as Byron Young, a 6-foot-4, 275-pound defensive end from West Jones High School in Laurel, Miss., announced that he would sign with UA in December, choosing Alabama over Georgia and Mississippi State.
“After much consideration, I have decided to commit,” Jones said on his Twitter account on Tuesday night. “I’d like to thank every school that has shown interest in me large or small. I’d like to thank my coaches for believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself and for pushing me beyond the limits I at one point set for myself. I’d like to thank all my teammates for pushing me at practice and for all the great times we’ve had so far over my football career.
“I also want to thank my friends that have been there for me even before I was being noticed for football (especially Abby and Jon-Micah.) I’d like to thank my family for all the sacrifices they’ve made to put me in the position I’m in today. From my mother to my sister they have all pushed me academically and physically to places beyond (where) I ever thought I’d be.
“Last but not least I’d like to thank the man up above for giving me the talent and the ability to play this sport I love. With that being said I’d like to announce my commitment to the University of Alabama. Roll Tide Roll.”
Jones was rated the No. 9 prospect in Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger and was recently rated as a Top 150 player nationally by Rivals.com. He is the second player from the state of Mississippi to commit to Alabama’s 2019 class, joining wide receiver/defensive back Brandon Turnage of Oxford. UA also continues to recruit that state’s No. 1 prospect, five-star linebacker Nakobe Dean of Horn Lake.
Reach Cecil Hurt at cecil@tidesports.com or 205-722-0225.
