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Kendall Sheffield commits to Alabama: Crimson Tide gets 5-star cornerback

By Patrick Schmidt

Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide mascot Big Al waves a flag after a touchdown in the fourth quarter of their game against the Missouri Tigers in the 2014 SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome. Alabama beat Missouri 42-13. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide mascot Big Al waves a flag after a touchdown in the fourth quarter of their game against the Missouri Tigers in the 2014 SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome. Alabama beat Missouri 42-13. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Alabama Crimson Tide’s No. 1 ranked recruiting class solidified their ranking at Friday’s Under Armour All-American Game with a pair of commitments, including five-star cornerback Kendall Sheffield.

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Alabama may have clinched a fourth straight year with the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class with the commitment of four-star defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne and five-star cornerback Kendall Sheffield who gave their verbal commitments at the Under Armour All-American Game on Friday.

The commitment of Payne was a no-brainer but the commitment of Sheffield was more of a surprise, albeit a mild one after the Texas A&M Aggies were viewed as the favorite for much of his recruitment.

Sheffield (Missouri City, TX. Fort Bend Marshall) is a 6-0, 181-pound corner who also doubles as a track star, much like 2014 cornerback commitments Tony Brown and Marlon Humphrey, and is the 24th member of Nick Saban’s 2015 recruiting class.

The five-star cornerback is the nation’s No. 18 ranked recruit regardless of position, No. 3 cornerback and the No. 2 player in the state of Texas, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. Sheffield joins fellow Under Armour All-American, Minkah Fitzpatrick who is the No. 5 cornerback recruit who continue the pipeline of elite defensive backs coming to play for Saban at Alabama.

Alabama has sent a number of cornerbacks to the NFL draft since Saban took over, including first round picks Dee Milliner, Dre Kirkpatrick and Kareem Jackson and that played a big part in Sheffield committing to the Crimson Tide.

“The deciding factor was Coach Saban and his record of sending players to the next level,” said Sheffield’s father, Cecil Sheffield, via 247Sports.

In addition to Texas A&M, Sheffield picked Alabama over offers from Florida State, USC and Ohio State where he took official visits to this fall. He has not taken an official visit to Alabama yet, but did take an unofficial visit for the Iron Bowl against Auburn.

Sheffield competed at The Opening this summer and fared well in the All-Star camp before beginning his season that saw him record 43 tackles, two interceptions, seven pass breakups, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and scored one touchdown.

As a track star he posted a top-10 finish with a 13.85 in the 2013 Texas state championships in 2013 in the 100m hurdles and won the 300m hurdles. He has been clocked in the 40-yard dash as running a 4.4 and his track speed translates to the football field where his straight-line speed, reactive quickness and change of direction skills should see him competing for playing time early in his career at Alabama.

For more college football coverage leading up to the national championship game and throughout national signing day stay on FanSided.com to stay on top of the latest updates, including the latest scores, news, injury updates, videos and more.

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