Villanova transfer and former five-star recruit Jahvon Quinerly verbally committed to Alabama on Sunday, he tells 247Sports.

“Coach Bryan [Hodgson} and coach [Nate] Oats recruited me the hardest as soon as I got my release from Villanova,” Quinerly said. “Bryan came and met my parents his first week on the job.”

“What they did at Buffalo is special and their offensive numbers and strategy are as good as anyone’s,” he added. “They were a top five to ten team in every offensive category. The ball moves, they get out in transition and they created a culture where guys are super unselfish and that’s something I wanted to be a part of.”

A long list of schools began pursuing Quinerly, a decorated recruit out of Jersey City (N.J.) Hudson Catholic, when he announced he planned to leave Villanova. In the end Quinerly only took official visits to Alabama and Pittsburgh. They were both this week. He told 247Sports that he also considered Oregon and Gonzaga.

“After my visit to Alabama, I thought it was a special vibe,” Quinerly said. “I just got that feeling.”

Quinerly said he was able to build a rapport with the Alabama coaching staff quickly, and also noted that their style of play meshes with his strengths as a player.

“Me and coaches Oats connected right away,” Quinerly said. “He was straight up with me. I just felt a special connection when I spoke to him and when he was at dinner with me and my mom. Coach Bryan just showed me what they did at Buffalo and I think I could strive in the offense.”

“I see myself as a guard that can score the ball and make others around me better,” he added. “I see myself playing a role besides Kira Lewis, and us playing together. They play two guards pretty much at all times. I think we could be special together.”

Alabama plans to apply for a hardship waiver that would grant Quinerly immediate eligibility. If he doesn't get the waiver, Quinerly will be forced to sit a season and then would have three years of eligibility.

As a freshman at Villanova, Quinerly averaged 3.2 points and 0.9 assists in 9.1 minutes a game.