Alabama lands highly coveted offensive lineman Kouandjio

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By Kristian R. Dyer, SI.com

Highly regarded offensive tackle Arie Kouandjio will commit to Alabama, SI.com has learned.

One of the top offensive line recruits in the nation, Kouandjio has anchored perennial Maryland powerhouse DeMatha over the past two seasons. He is ranked as a four-star by Rivals.com and is the No. 117 overall player in the nation according to the site.

"Alabama just felt like a good situation, like the right place to be," Kouandjio said. "I liked everything about the school."

Kouandjio said he chose the Crimson Tide over his other finalist, USC. A national recruit, the 6-foot-6, 314-pound lineman also held offers from the likes of Cal, Miami, Notre Dame and Tennessee. Location was the deciding factor for the U.S. Army All-American.

"So many things were equal, but being closer to home is what it came down to," Kouandjio said. "The fact that Alabama isn't as far is what became important to me."

Kouandjio is considered the second-best player in the state of Maryland, according to Rivals.com. In December, he played in the prestigious Crab Bowl featuring top talent from the area.

The DeMatha tackle becomes the second high-profile player from Maryland to make an announcement today, as Under Armour All-American Brandon Coleman from Bishop McNamara gave a verbal commitment to Rutgers earlier today.