Walton's Jones Commits to Alabama

Walton running back Tyren Jones committed Tuesday to play football at Alabama.

The junior revealed his nonbinding decision three days after receiving an offer from Coach Nick Saban while attending Alabama’s Junior Day recruiting event, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

BamaOnLine, part of the 247Sports network, was first with the news about Jones.

The East Cobb running back is rated the top prospect at his position in the state of Georgia in the Class of 2013, the No. 6 running back in the nation and the 61st-best player overall, according to various services that create such rankings.

Is Tyren Jones a good fit for the Crimson Tide? Should he change his mind and join the Dawgs? Tell us in the comments below.

Jones ran for 2,375 yards and scored 38 touchdowns running, receiving and returning kicks in leading Walton to the state AAAAA championship game and a 14-1 record in the fall.

He was named the AJC’s AAAAA Offensive Player of the Year and The Marietta Daily Journal’s Cobb County Offensive Player of the Year.

The 5-foot-9 Jones received the Cobb County Touchdown Club’s Player of the Year award just last week, when he said he wanted to go to a Southeastern Conference school as a steppingstone to the NFL, the MDJ reported.

Still, Jones didn’t have his mind set on Alabama before Saturday, Walton Coach Rocky Hidalgo told the AJC.

Jones told ESPN that he had a top five before he went to Tuscaloosa, and once he “felt that vibe” from the national championship program, he made his decision.

He also has offers from Georgia, Clemson, Tennessee and other top programs, and his decision isn’t official until he signs a letter of intent on the first Wednesday in February 2013.

He’s the eighth player and second running back to make a verbal commitment to Alabama for next year’s recruiting class, Alabama Live reported. The Birmingham News said Atlee Tenpenny from Arkansas is the other running back.

Just this month the Crimson Tide signed possibly the best 2012 recruiting class in the nation, including Hillgrove running back Kenyan Drake.

Alabama has been a hotbed for running backs under Saban, including 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, a No. 1 draft choice of the New Orleans Saints last year, and Trent Richardson, expected to be a No. 1 pick in April.

Roll Bama Roll, in fact, compares Jones to Ingram in stature and style and projects that he’ll bulk up to provide a mix of power and speed for the Crimson Tide.

Meanwhile, two of Jones' Walton teammates, offensive lineman Brandon Kublanow and quarterback Parker McLeod, are planning to visit another SEC West school, Arkansas, on March 3 or later in the spring, ARPreps.com reported.