Undersized linebacker Clark Griffin recorded more than 300 tackles at Mountain Brook and leaves as one of the most productive players in school history.

The 5-foot-9, 190-pounder linebacker will now get a shot at playing alongside some of the best players in college football.

Griffin has accepted a preferred walk-on offer from Alabama, which means he’s guaranteed a roster spot but will not receive any scholarship money. He announced his decision late last week on Twitter.

“This is what I’ve been waiting on all year. I wanted the chance to be able to go to the best school in the best conference in college football,” Griffin said. “I felt like they gave me the best opportunity to compete against the best.”

Griffin totaled 147 tackles in 2019 and was named AL.com’s All-Birmingham Defensive MVP as the Spartans (8-3) won their first seven games, held six of 11 opponents to 14 points or less and earned a fourth straight playoff berth. At Alabama, he joins former Mountain Brook teammates Joe Donald and A.J. Gates as recent walk-ons.

Griffin drew recruiting interest from a wide swatch of schools, including offers from Harding (Ark.) Millsaps (Miss.) and Birmingham-Southern. Jacksonville State and Austin Peay also showed interest and could have extended an offer before National Signing Day in early February.

Instead, Griffin opted to walk on at Alabama, where the Class of 2020 signing class ranked No. 2 nationally after Early Signing Day.

“Once they offered me,” said Griffin, referring to Alabama, “I was like, ‘This is where I want to be,’ and I was kind of set on it.”

What are Griffin’s expectations as a walk-on for the Crimson Tide?

“I’m expecting to go in there and just try to be the best version of me, and if I get to play that’s awesome,” he said. “If not, I’ll make the guys around me better, make the team better and try to go win a national championship.”

Griffin said he expects to stay at linebacker, although he acknowledged his size could necessitate a move to safety. Vinnie Sunseri starred as an undersized middle linebacker in high school and transitioned to an all-star safety at Alabama.