Commitment decision preview: 4-star RB Akylin Dear

The week has arrived for Quitman (Miss.) running back Akylin Dear ‘s announcement. After decommitting from Ole Miss back in June, it’s been a two-team race: Alabama and Ole Miss. Mississippi State might have a hat on the table, but this one is Crimson Tide vs Rebels. A decision is coming Tuesday, August 20.

All the intel suggest this one is Alabama. Most suspected it would immediately be Alabama, but Dear has taken his time. Now, he is ready to announce his commitment.

Dear rushed for 2,016 yards and 27 touchdowns as a junior and is the No. 38 overall prospect in the country, per On3’s Industry Ranking. He’s ranked as the 2nd overall recruit at his position and the 3rd-ranked player in the state of Mississippi.

On3’s Andrew Bone feels this one is a slam dunk for Alabama.

“Alabama didn’t stop pursuing Dear after his commitment. Coach Robert Gillespie , the Tide’s running backs coach, went to visit during the spring evaluation period April 22,” Bone said. “Coach G, who is originally from Hattiesburg, has recruited Dear for more than a year. The relationship has been outstanding, and Dear considered UA in his top two throughout most of the process.”

Bone talked with Dear last month about his interest in the Crimson Tide program and what he likes about the running back culture.

“Most people grew up being Alabama fans — even if they were from another state — just because of the type of culture they created, which was a winning culture,” Dear told BOL. “I’ve always loved what Alabama has done with their running backs because look at the NFL currently and in the past… a lot of running backs that are/were in the league come from Alabama.”

My On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine pick is in, along with everyone else’s, for Alabama.

On3’s Charles Power liked what he saw from Akylin Dear earlier this year at the Under Armour Next Camp in Atlanta.

“While we don’t always get a great look at the complete running back skill set in this camp setting, Akylin Dear showed big play ability on Sunday. He has readymade size at around 6-foot, 200 pounds, pairing with a high-end burst,” Power said. “Dear blew past linebackers on vertical routes for several touchdowns during running back-linebacker 1-on-1’s. His speed was simply too much for the opposing linebackers. Dear’s ability to present a vertical pass threat adds another dimension to his rushing skills.”

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