Stanford made a National Signing Day splash as one of the nation's top safeties, Andrew Pryts, announced his commitment to the Cardinal.

Pryts was previously committed to Penn State, where his father played his college football.

The three-star standout was a top target of the likes of Ohio State, Notre Dame, UCLA, Alabama and others last spring and summer. He actually visited Stanford in June and had the Cardinal among his top choices before committing to Penn State in August.

But Pryts took an official visit to Stanford earlier this month, and he ultimately decided the Cardinal was the best program for him.

"I think that the first thing that stands out to anyone that's serious about Stanford is their education," Pryts said. "Initially, that's why I started showing a lot of interest in them. They offer an education that only a select few can match.

"But then, once I started becoming more familiar with their coaches and with the players when I took my official visit, it just felt like the right thing for me. The overall combination of football and academics is incredible. I couldn't pass that up."

Cardinal head coach David Shaw and Pryts' future position coach, Duane Akina, made an in-home visit with the Hickory High School star last week.

"That was a great visit for me and my family," Pryts said. "Coach Shaw and Coach Akina were in to see me and they're both just such great people. The way they recruited me and the way they presented themselves, it was an excellent fit for me. I felt very comfortable with them.

"Those are the kind of people that I want to surround myself with these next four years. I'm incredibly honored that I'm going to attend such a great school like Stanford."

Pryts is the fifth prospect formerly committed to another program to select the Cardinal within the last few weeks; he joins Obi Eboh (Texas), Scooter Harrington (Boston College), Devery Hamilton (Michigan) and Paxton Segina (Rice).

He's also Stanford's sixth commit from the Northeast - Clark Yarbrough (originally from New Jersey), Donald Stewart (New Jersey), Harrington (Connecticut) Hamilton (Maryland) and Dorian Maddox (Maryland) are the others.

Ryan Snyder of Rivals.com contributed to this report.