In the end, the allure of staying in-state was just too much for the state of Alabama’s 5-star cylindrical meat product.

Considered a state-wide fan favorite for years, Conecuh Sausage has verbally committed to and signed with Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide.

In a press release Monday, Conecuh Sausage will be the “Official Smoked Sausage” of the Alabama Crimson Tide starting this fall, per Crimson Tide Sports Marketing, the multimedia rightsholder for the University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.

And yes, sports fans, Conecuh Sausage will be eligible this fall and in line for immediate playing time, being served as a menu item at Bryant-Denny Stadium and other on-campus sports venues during the collegiate athletics season.

As you would expect, fans of the Crimson Tide and Conecuh Sausage voiced their approval, including Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne.

“I’m guessing the Byrne family consumption of Conecuh Sausage gave the company the resources to make this deal happen,” the AD tweeted.

Outstanding!



I’m guessing the Byrne family consumption of @ConecuhSausage gave the company the resources to make this deal happen.



Plus, it will be served at Bryant-Denny and other venues. #RollTide 👍🏼🐘 pic.twitter.com/A5yk2esdYZ — Greg Byrne (@Greg_Byrne) July 1, 2019

“We’re excited about reaching more Crimson Tide fans with Conecuh Sausage, and we are pleased to be working with Athletics and Crimson Tide Sports Marketing,” John Sessions, owner/operator of Conecuh Sausage Company in Evergreen, Alabama, said. “We look forward to a successful partnership and can’t wait to get started with Alabama football.”

The signing appears to give Alabama an advantage in the all-important SEC race for quality meats, per U.S. Representative Bradley Byrne.

This is a good decision! Nothing beats Conecuh Sausage! https://t.co/mdhrVfiYwk — Bradley Byrne (@BradleyByrne) July 1, 2019

The Alabama Football pre-game tailgate show will now be known as “The Conecuh Sausage Crimson Tide Tailgate Party.”

“It’ll be great to kick off the relationship with Conecuh Sausage next season, and we look forward to adding Conecuh’s high quality, Alabama-made smoked sausage as one of our valued partners,” Learfield IMG College Vice President and Crimson Tide Sports Marketing General Manager Jim Carabin said in a release.

Conecuh Sausage is a family owned and operated business, which began in 1947 Evergreen, Alabama.

Conecuh Sausage is undefeated pic.twitter.com/MtsKVxCyql — Kyle Henderson (@Rivals_Kyle) July 1, 2019

In typical recruiting wars style, fans of Alabama rivals were skeptical.

“Conecuh sausage ain’t never played Hillshire Farms, Pawwwwwlllll,” one Georgia fan tweeted.

"Conecuh sausage ain't never played Hillshire Farms Pawwwwwlllll" — BigDawg2442 (@WeiserBrad) July 1, 2019

Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.