brendan scales

Brendan Scales will sign with Missouri instead of Alabama. (photo courtesy 247Sports)

On the night before National Signing Day, Ballwin, Mo., tight end Brendan Scales has decided to stay closer to home.

Scales committed to Alabama last April and officially visited two weeks ago, but officially visited Missouri over the weekend.

Scales informed coaches of the decision tonight, AL.com has learned. Scout.com first reported the story. Scales noted "utmost respeect" to the Alabama staff in his decommitment tweet.

Scales' father Von told AL.com that Alabama asked Brendan to grayshirt, delaying full-time enrollment until January 2017, and he declined.

Alabama has one tight end committed and enrolled in Cartersville, Ga., three-star recruit Miller Forristall. The Crimson Tide are a favorite to land New Orleans three-star tight end Irvin Smith, who is scheduled to announce at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Alabama is also a finalist for four-star Concord, Calif., tight end Devin Asiasi along with UCLA, USC and Michigan. Asiasi announces at 2 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

This was the second Alabama decommitment of the day, as Amite, La., safety Joshua Perry announced his decision to back off his verbal pledge earlier Tuesday.

Scales is a three-star recruit in the 247Sports composite.