Tua Tagovailoa is the nation's No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the 2017 class by 247Sports.com Composite Rankings.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (Honolulu, Hi./St. Louis) announced his verbal commit to Alabama late Sunday night.

“I chose Alabama first and foremost because they put God first,” Tagovailoa told 247Sports before making his decision public. “Alabama has Southern hospitality just like Hawaii. Plus I love the atmosphere there. I can see myself there.”

Tagovailoa chose Alabama over 13 other offers including UCLA, USC, Ole Miss and Texas A&M.

He said USC finished second and Ole Miss was third.

He said Alabama area recruiter Tosh Lupoi did a ‘good job’ as his recruiter of record for the Crimson Tide.

Tagovailoa met with Alabama coach Nick Saban during an unofficial visit this spring.

“That was a great opportunity,” Tagovailoa said. “Not too many people get that opportunity.”

The four-star recruit is ranked as the nation’s No. 2 dual-threat quarterback and the No. 1 prospect in Hawaii in the 2017 class by 247Sports.com Composite Rankings.

“Many people may say I don’t belong in that system because it’s not the one we run at St. Louis High School,” Tagovailoa said. “But if you want to play in the NFL like I do you have to learn how to play in a pro-style offense so why not play in a pro-style offense in college first? I think it will be good for me.”

Tagovailoa said he verbally committed to Saban “about two weeks ago.”

“He was excited to have me on board,” Tagovailoa said. “I’m excited to be on board.”

As a junior, Tagovailoa hit on 187-of-298 passes for 2,932 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

He also rushed 77 times for 481 yards and 11 touchdowns.

As a sophomore, Tagovailoa hit on 163-of-239 passes for 2,583 yards with 33 touchdowns and three interceptions.

He also rushed 87 times for 576 yards.

Tua Tagovailoa said he chose Alabama over USC and Ole Miss.

Tagovailoa was helped many coaches and teachers along the way to reach this point.

Several influential people were interviewed by 247Sports to give further light on person and player that Alabama is getting in Tua Tagovailoa.

“I have never had a problem letting him know the things that he needs to hear, not always what he wants to hear. It is definitely easier to jump on the bandwagon and tell kids who have great success only (the) positive, but that isn’t what he will face in the real world. It definitely builds character and it allows those that care enough to make him a better person. Alabama is getting a kid who has a strong faith foundation, who puts family first and is a student of the game. He is an unselfish player who appreciates his linemen and all who allow him to do what he loves. I have been writing Tua pre-game letters since his sophomore year. My greatest memory was when he asked if I was going to continue to write my letters when he goes away to college. It’s humbling to know that he takes what I share with him to heart and allows me to empower him in a small way. I am proud of Tua the person that is growing into a Saint Louis Man and who will continue to represent his family, school and our state in a positive way.”

Nani Vegas, Middle School, Religion Teacher

“His family has sacrificed so much and they have done such a great job to help him get to where he’s gotten. They have devoted so much to help him. He’s a warrior. He’s a blue collar worker. He’s the total package. We have had many Division 1 quarterbacks but he’s the biggest recruit of them all. He’s gotten so much better and still has a ways to go. He’s a super person. He has a super arm and is a really good runner. What a super person and super family.”

Ron Lee, Offensive Coordinator, Honolulu, HI/St. Louis

“Tua is an amazing competitor and leader. By him competing for a quarterback job that will only bring out the best out of Tua. He has so much upside He seems to excel to another level of play when he’s competing for something. Tua is a self-driven and motivated player that always finds ways to get better. Nothing seems too big for him. His work ethic is impeccable. Alabama will be very fortunate and blessed to have a man like Tua. He has a been a Godsend. My most memorable moment of Tua was when he was 10 years old throwing in our “QB Get Better” Camp. Tua would always sneak out of his group (10-12 year olds) to throw with the high school and college QBs to match every throw they make and be more consistently accurate than everyone, which made it quite embarrassing for the older QBs. They tried to chase him back to the younger group and throw where he belongs, but he’d always hide behind Marcus Mariota (2014 Heisman Trophy winner and the second overall pick in the 2015 pick for the Tennessee Titans) to throw with the older group. Mariota would take Tua under his wing and help nurture Tua to the person he is now. Never backing down from a challenge, always finding ways to get better and being a humble, genuine person and to make people around him a better person. Tua comes from the same mode that Marcus Mariota came from, St. Louis High School in Hawaii, where amazing men come from. Tua like Mariota is one of them.”

Vince Passes, Quarterbacks Coach, Honolulu, Hi./St. Louis

“Tua is one of he most gifted, hard working and selfless athletes I have had the pleasure of mentoring and training. He is a fierce competitor and a tremendous leader who leads with his work ethic and actions. When he train he is always in the front of the line, always focused and constantly praising and motivating his training partners. When the whistle blows and any challenge is put in front of him, it is already known that he is going to compete. He is going to give 100-percent and he is going to win. Alabama is getting a winner that has a growth mindset and is willing to outwork his opponents when nobody is watching. When he lights come on, he is going to dominate.”

Kenny Patton, KP Speed Training Owner

“Alabama is getting the best of both worlds. Not only a dual-threat quarterback but a very disciplined and driven young man. My favorite memory of him is when there was two minutes left in the ILH Championship and St. Louis was down. They got the ball back and he strapped up his helmet and looked at me with a gleam in his eyes and an ear-to-ear smile and said ‘I got this.’ He led them to a score giving St. Louis an ILH championship. He’s also a leader on and off the field.”

Kimo Luna, UFC Gym General Manager, Strength & Conditioning Coach

“Just a great leader. He comes from such a great family. Tremendous leadership qualities. That’s the thing that I recognized the most. He’s so confident in his abilities. That leadership quality especially in a quarterback. All of the other stuff will be fine. Throwing, running the system, running but it’s hard to be a leader with that kind of confidence and be so humble. He will give Alabama another dimension. They will be hard to defend because he can really throw the ball on the move and he’s really accurate. He can slide around and throw on the run. Just a lot of memories. When he competed his sophomore year he had to compete for the varsity spot. He was just so versatile and has so much knowledge of football and picked it up so quickly and he’s a tremendous competitor.”

Cal Lee, Head Coach, Honolulu, Hi./St. Louis

“Tua is one of those once in a lifetime football players. He is mentally and physically beyond his years and in my humble opinion he can step on the field as a freshman and start. He is a humble God fearing young man that has total command of a team on the field. Lots of memories of Tua, but watching him compete this year at the JPS Paradise Football Classic gave me goosebumps. Those that only heard of him will soon know why he is so special.”

Robert Faleatine, JP Prep Sports Owner

Tagovailoa is the ninth verbal commit in the 2017 class for Alabama.