4-star RB Akylin Dear commits to Alabama: 'It is the place for me'

Alabama continues to roll on the recruiting trail. Kalen DeBoer‘s first full recruiting class in Tuscaloosa is expected to challenge for the No. 1 class in the country and it just added another key piece in running back Akylin Dear.

The one-time Ole Miss commit is the No. 2 running back in the country and the No. 38 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking. He is now committed to the Crimson Tide.

“It is a business decision,” Dear told On3. “Alabama has great history at running back, they know how to win, the staff shows constant love and it is the place for me.”

Even before committing to Ole Miss in March, Dear had that same feeling.

“Since the first time I visited Alabama, I knew that was where I was going to end up. I have been there eight or nine times and I have always had that feeling. It goes back to when coach Nick Saban was there. Something about the feeling at Alabama has always been different.

“The new coaching staff makes me feel right at home. When I am there with coach G (Robert Gillespie), coach DeBoer and the staff now, it feels like I am in Quitman (Miss.). The feeling is like home and I feel loved.

“Since the first time I visited a couple of years ago, I have known Alabama was it. I knew, my mom knew, my family knew, and now I am committed. It has always been that school.”

Coach Gillespie ‘never gave up’ on Dear

The consistency paid off for Gillespie and Alabama in the end.

“Coach G was really the only coach that stayed with me when I was committed,” Dear said. “Some others would talk to me some and reach out a little, but coach G stayed with me. He kept texting me and calling me. He never gave up. That showed me how much he wanted me.”

Dear and Gillespie have a strong bond.

“Coach G is my dog. He is from Mississippi like me. He played at Hattiesburg. So why not be coached by my own kind? We are Mississippi boys who have a deep connection. Coach G is the best and he is at Alabama, one of the best in college football. Our relationship is stronger than anything and I can’t wait to play for him.”

Dear plans to be the next Alabama great to shine in the NFL

Dear knows about the history at Alabama at the running back position. His favorite running back in the NFL is Derrick Henry. He knows about Jahmyr Gibbs, Najee Harris, Josh Jacobs and others. Dear wants to be next.

“Alabama is a factory at running back,” Dear said. “They have a great history and that is a big reason why I want to go there. They know how to get their guys the ball and develop them into NFL players. That is m goal.”

One of the horses for DeBoer’s Washington team a year ago was Dillon Johnson. Johnson is from Mississippi, he started his career at Mississippi State and Dear is excited to be a part of a program at Alabama with history and to play for a coach that knows how to use him.

“Coach DeBoer is an offensive guy. He has had some top running backs. Coach DeBoer is a man of honesty, he is a winner and I know he will help get me where I want to go.”