Duncanville (Texas) cornerback Ennis Rakestraw opted not to sign on Early Signing Day last month, betting on himself and hoping other Power 5 school would notice him.

His gamble is paying off.

Rakestraw, rated a 3-star prospect according to national recruiting rankings, tweeted a photo Sunday night of Alabama coach Nick Saban visiting him in his home in suburban Dallas, and the 6-foot-1, 170-pounder told AL.com he plans to visit Tuscaloosa this weekend.

“I like the physicality of the defense,” he said when asked about what he likes about Alabama. “That’s how I was taught to play, and that’s exactly how I play.”

Alabama showed no interest in Rakeshaw before Early Signing Day, he said, but he’s emerged as a fast riser for Power 5 schools and now holds offers from Alabama, Texas, Baylor, Georgia, Missouri and Ole Miss. He recently visited Missouri.

“They watched my film and re-evaulated after early signing day,” Rakeshaw said of Alabama’s interest. “They watched my film, and Coach Saban said he likes my feet and my footwork. I got on their screen when they watched my film and said I jumped off the screen the most.”

In a playoff semifinal against Rockwall (Texas), Rakeshaw often lined up against Ohio State receiver signee Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who was held to five catches for 37 yards and no touchdowns, according to the Dallas Morning News. Smith-Njigba tallied 2,161 receiving yards and 39 touchdowns this season, but did little against Duncanville’s secondary

Duncanville finished as the Texas Class 6A Division I runner-up, falling to North Shore in the title game while playing without starting quarterback and Texas signee Ja’Quinden Jackson, who missed the game with a knee injury. Rakeshaw shared the defensive backfield at Duncanville with Auburn safety signee and early enrollee Christopher Thompson Jr.

🗣Power 5 Coaches-Ennis Rakestraw has to be 1 of the top CBs in the nation.His performances vs Rockwall, St. John, SGP & Skyline show his value. Those 4 schools had wrs who are going to Ohio St., LSU, Kansas & Texas.He hasnt given up a TD all season. #FACTS pic.twitter.com/riXkd0Ss7K — DuncanvilleFB (@Duncanville_Fb) December 15, 2019

“I played with a chip on my shoulder,” Rakeshaw said when describing his senior season. “There’s no other way to say it. It was a big chip. I feel like everyone had to pay.

“I feel like I was underrated, but everybody feels underrated. So, I had to make a point to prove I was underrated.”

Alabama landed two Texas high school players among the 22 players who signed last month – 5-star Ryan (Texas) athlete Drew Sanders, who’s expected to play linebacker, and 4-star Aledo (Texas) running back Jase McClellan.

Alabama signed two corners, both of whom have already enrolled, during the early period – Sandalwood (Fla.)’s Jahquez Robinson and junior college transfer Ronald Williams, both rated as 4-star prospects. Hewitt-Trussville’s Malachi Moore and Sandy Creek (Ga.)’s Brian Branch are expected to play safety, and Alabama Mr. Football Kristian Story could also end up as a defensive back.

After visiting Alabama this weekend, Rakeshaw plans to visit Georgia on the final weekend before National Signing Day. He said there are no leaders among his final six of Alabama, Texas, Baylor, Georgia, Missouri and Ole Miss.

“I have a lot of thinking” to do, he said.