Alabama football recruiting: LB Keith Holcombe flips to Tide

Class of 2014 linebacker Keith Holcombe flipped his commitment to Alabama Tuesday afternoon, less than two weeks after committing to Mississippi State. Holcombe originally pledged to the Bulldogs on July 19.

Holcombe is rated as a four-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN, a three-star by Rivals, and a two-star by Scout. Standing 6’3 and weighing in at 220 pounds, he’s Alabama’s 17th commitment for the 2014 recruiting cycle. Holcombe plays his high school ball at Hillcrest High in Tuscaloosa, Ala., so the flip to his hometown team isn’t all that surprising. Although, making the change just days after committing to a rival SEC West school is a bit puzzling.

Aside from Alabama, Holcombe has six other offers from around the Southeast. After jumping from State, he picked the Crimson Tide over Georgia Tech, Kentucky, N.C. State, Southern Miss and Vanderbilt. Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier has been Holcombe’s primary recruiter, per 247.

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