thomas fletcher

Thomas Fletcher committed to Alabama

Four years ago, Alabama signed a long snapper to a scholarship in Cole Mazza, and it's worked out.

Now, the Crimson Tide may have their snapper for the next four years after Mazza graduates in 2016.

Thomas Fletcher, a snapper from the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., committed to Alabama on Thursday.

He grew up and spent most of his life in Vancouver, Wash., near Portland, Ore., before moving to Georgetown, Texas last summer with his family and then transferring to the IMG Academy in January.

He plans to be an early graduate and enroll at Alabama in January.

"As shocking as it may sound, it reminds me a lot of the Pacific Northwest, where I come from," Fletcher said. "It's my home and where I was raised. It reminds me a lot of the Pacific Northwest, with the mountains and greenery they have in Alabama, it makes it very comforting. I can play big-time football and still have that feel that I'm at home."

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Fletcher picked Alabama over Florida State, Oregon and Texas A&M.

Per Chris Sailer Kicking/Rubio Long Snapping, Fletcher is the nation's top long snapper and is a five-star recruit according to that service. A five-star player ranking indicates a Division I prospect.

"The opportunity to play in the SEC (is a big reason I committed)," Fletcher said. "Big-time home games. Every week is a test and that is exciting to me. The ability to play with NFL guys consistently, every single day. I think there's a lot to learn with being around NFL-caliber dudes as everyday teammates, friends and opponents is something that other people do have, but I think it's something special at Alabama."

Fletcher said that he believed the fact Mazza is graduating impacted Alabama's ability to offer him a scholarship.

Fletcher said he's 100 percent solid to Alabama.