COLONIA, N.J. -- Alabama’s future starting defensive line could have a heavy Northeast lean after the Crimson Tide moved into the region again to land one of the top defensive lineman in the 2019 class.

Antonio Alfano, who is the No. 5 strong side defensive end in the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, just announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide during a ceremony at Colonia High.

“They want me as a Jack, which is an outside linebacker but also like a defensive end in their scheme,” the 6-foot-4, 285-pound Alfano said. “I can cover, too. Now that they saw my speed and they saw me move, they were like, ‘Ok, this kid can play Jack for us.’ “

Although Alfano announced his decision Friday, he actually let Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban know about his decision via FaceTime last week.

“He was happy, but it wasn’t rejoicing. His reaction was exactly what I expected,” Alfano said. “I was thinking the same way he was thinking. The first thing he said was, ‘Antonio, you’re committing to what we do here.’ I was like, ‘Yes sir. This is a business decision.’ “

In the 2018 class, Alabama landed defensive tackle Christian Barmore out of Philadelphia and defensive end Eyabi Anoma from Baltimore, and Alfano said he is eager to join them. He will sign his binding national letter of intent in December, and enroll at Alabama in January.

“I think coach Saban is a football genius,” Alfano said “I think he’s figured the game out. He’s got it down to a ‘T.’ I’m talking all aspects of college football. Competing against the best talent in the country is awesome, too.

“I don’t know the last player from Jersey who went to ‘Bama who didn’t get drafted. Anthony Averett and Minkah Fitzpatrick just got drafted.”

Penn State and Georgia were Alfano’s other finalists, and he said the decision was difficult because he connected well with each of the coaching staffs.

However, it was the feeling Alfano got when he was on Alabama’s campus and interacting with the players in the program in early April that turned out to be a key part of his decision.

“I was looking for a school that had brotherhood,” Alfano said. “Hanging out with the players and playing video games and listening to music, and just the way they interact with each other, and the way they cared about each other but when it was time to go to work, it was time to work.

“That’s what I like. That’s what really attracted me to them.”

Alfano is the 13th member of Alabama’s 2019 class. He is second projected defensive end, joining Loganville (Ga.) Grayson weak side defensive end Kevin Harris. The Crimson Tide also have commitments from defensive tackles Rashad Cheney of Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove and Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville’s DJ Dale.