After holding Jim Harbaugh and staff for five-star running back Najee Harris in the 2017 cycle, Alabama flipped Michigan’s highest-rated 2018 commitment in four-star center Emil Ekiyor on Sunday, the Indianapolis (Ind.) Cathedral product announced on Twitter.

“I’ve already called Coach (Nick) Saban and told him everything, I told him I’m committed and everything,” Ekiyor told BamaOnLine. “I just feel more comfortable there with the coaching staff and feel really comfortable with Coach (Brent) Key, and Coach (Derrick) Ansley that’s been recruiting me. I just feel like it’s a special place.”

Ekiyor, the No. 2 center in the nation, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, has visited Tuscaloosa twice already this season for the Ole Miss and Tennessee games. It was those trips that ultimately made up his mind.

“These last few visits I’ve taken, just seeing everything has opened my eyes,” he said. “It opened my eyes to a whole different side of Alabama. It just seemed like a better fit for me.”

The U.S. Army All-American had been committed to the Wolverines for just over a year. There are no hard feelings between him and the UM staff, though.

“I talked to Coach Harbaugh earlier this week and told him I’m making a decision that’s the best fit for me and no hard feelings towards them,” Ekiyor said. “He was pretty understanding. It wasn’t that bad.”

Ekiyor looks forward to the opportunity to be around other elite players at the Capstone. He himself is now the highest-rated commitment in the Tide’s 2018 class with a grade of 95.

“Just being surrounded by other great players, and around greatness – arguably one of the greatest head coaches of all time,” Ekiyor said of his favorite part about Alabama. “Being coached by him is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

While Ekiyor doesn’t plan to enroll until next May, he doesn’t plan on visiting anywhere else except Alabama.

“I’m shutting it down,” he said.

At 6-foot-2, 322 pounds, Ekiyor is rated the No. 105 overall player in the country, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite. He projects as an interior lineman for the Tide.

Ekiyor is commitment No. 12 for Alabama, giving the Tide the No. 16 class in the country, per the 247Sports Team Rankings.

*** For more news and notes on Alabama sports, follow BamaOnLine on Twitter ***

*** Get FREE Alabama news by signing up for the BamaOnLine newsletter ***

*** Try BamaOnLine FREE for 7 days! ***