When all was said and done, it just came down to family for Thomas Johnston.

Spanish Fort's three-time all-state linebacker committed to UAB on Tuesday morning, turning down strong overtures from more recognized programs like Auburn, Ole Miss, Iowa and Arkansas in the process.

The state's all-time leading high school tackler will be reunited with older brother Tyler, who signed with the Blazers a year ago to play quarterback.

"I always had a dream of playing football with my brother in college," Johnston said. "We shared that dream. We often talked about that over the years growing up together. We had no idea how that would actually happen. We always thought it would be a package deal in a sense - one on defense, the other on offense - dreaming of continuing to win championships. God led me to the same spot with my brother."

Tyler is just one of several deep connections Thomas Johnston has with UAB. He has known head coach Bill Clark since he played park ball with Clark's son in fourth grade. He has worked with strength coach Lyle Henley since the second grade. Blazers' defensive coordinator David Reeves worked for four months at Spanish Fort while the UAB program was on hiatus. Fellowship of Christian Athlete representative Tavon Arrington worked in the same capacity at Spanish Fort.

Thomas Johnston finished his high school career as the state's all-time leading tackler with 675 stops. (Mike Kittrell | preps@al.com)

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Johnston, a four-star recruit and the No. 8 overall player in the state according to Scout.com, visited Arkansas and Iowa before Christmas and Auburn and OIe Miss in the last two weeks. Auburn offered Johnston as an H-back, which didn't interest him. He said he did seriously consider other schools though his tie to UAB and its coaches always has been strong.

"Family was mentioned at each school and program," Johnston said. "I do feel that is very important. When I really started to think about what that means, I realized how strong the family ties we have are at UAB."

Johnston was both the AL.com Player of the Year and the Senior Bowl Player of the Year on the coast this past season. He made 195 tackles - finishing with 675 for his five-year career - and also had 13 tackles for a loss.

A week ago in Montgomery, he was named the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 6A Lineman of the Year and finished third in the voting for Mr. Football behind only Beauregard running back La'Damian Webb and Park Crossing quarterback Malik Cunningham. Tyler Johnston was Mr. Football in 2015.

In their four years together at Spanish Fort, the Johnston brothers helped the Toros go 56-3 and win three state championships. If the nine games Tyler missed due to an ACL injury during his junior season are subtracted, the brothers combined to go 46-1 in their time on the field together at the school. The one loss came against St. Paul's in 2012 in Thomas' first game as a varsity player.

Thomas Johnston was awarded the MVP award following Alabama's victory in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game. (Julie Bennett | jbennett@al.com)

"Having done this for several, several years, it's very rare that you have two players that bring what they do to a team, much less two brothers," former Spanish Fort coach Mark Freeman said of the Johnstons. "They are exceptions to all the rules. Thomas is more flamboyant and off the cuff than Tyler, who is pretty quiet. But when you put them in a container and shake them up at the end of the day they both come out winners."

Thomas Johnston started 65 straight games for Spanish Fort. The Toros went 10-3 this past season, losing to Opelika in the 6A quarterfinals. He will also play baseball for Brent Boyd's Toros this spring. He is contemplating trying to play both sports in college, but he said this week it would depend on the success of his senior season.

"Thomas is a great leader," Spanish Fort coach Ben Blackmon said. "No matter where he would have gone, he would shine. He will work really hard and buy in. He will invest in that staff and their principles. He'll be a success. UAB is getting a great one."

UAB, which will resume football this fall, signed 12 players in December. Johnston is the Blazers' ninth commitment for this class.

National Signing Day is Feb. 1.

"I think Thomas' personality goes well with what coach Clark and his staff are doing at UAB," Freeman said. "They kind of have that philosophy of, 'Let's make this thing different.' That's right up Thomas' alley. He will initiate team meetings on his own if they are needed. That is his personality. I think he would rather be a part of making something great than going somewhere that is already great and just being another piece. He will be a big part of the foundation at UAB. Thomas is really special."

While Power 5 schools were heavily courting Johnston, his uncle shared Robert Frost's poem 'The Road Not Taken' with him. That might have been a turning point in his recruitment.

"My uncle helped me understand that it is OK to go to the place that may feel uncomfortable and less traveled by others," Johnston said. "Going somewhere everyone thinks is a sure thing is not always where the biggest blessings occur. I feel like I'm taking the road less traveled here, and I can't wait to make it pay off."

Johnston also had 57 tackles for loss and nine sacks in his Spanish Fort career. He forced five fumbles, recovering four, and blocked two punts and a field goal. He may not be the last Johnston to play at UAB.

Little brother Tate is 9.

"He may be the best of the three," Thomas said.

WATCH JOHNSTON'S SENIOR HIGHLIGHTS:

UAB beats out Ole Miss, Iowa, Arkansas and Auburn. https://t.co/U2PQuxQa7z — Woody Wommack (@RivalsWoody) January 24, 2017

Not a bad morning for UAB fans on the recruiting front with commitments from @PatrickNuss64 and @TDJohnston42 — Drew Champlin (@DrewChamplin) January 24, 2017