When it came down to it, Rylan Griffen chose to Roll with the Tide that seems to be taking over the college basketball recruiting landscape.

The Team Trae Young star committed on Tuesday to the University of Alabama, concluding a process that drew interest in the Richardson, Texas product from across the nation. Ultimately it was the connection that Rylan felt with Alabama Head Coach Nate Oats that set the Crimson Tide apart from his many other suitors.

“The relationship with Coach Oats….not many head coaches reach out to you that much. That was pretty big to me,” he said. “Coach Oats says he can turn me into one of the best two-way players in the SEC. I’m trusting him to do that. I’m just going to work and try to win.”

Rylan narrowed his list from 10 to four before Tuesday’s big announcement, ultimately choosing Alabama over The University of Oklahoma, North Carolina State and Kansas State. His addition brings the Crimson Tide’s Class of 2022 recruiting class up to No. 3 in the nation behind only national powerhouses Duke and Kentucky, according to 247Sports. Rylan is the third Top 100 Class of 2022 prospect to choose Bama since the beginning of November.

Eric Bossi, National Basketball Director for 247Sports believes Rylan is a natural fit at Alabama, where the team doesn’t currently have a shooting guard of his caliber, which should allow him to have an impact right away in 2022.

“He’s a long, athletic two-guard, he can put the ball on the floor, he’s a great pull up jump shooter,” Bossi said in an appearance on CBS Sports HQ. “When he gets out in transition he’s one of those game-changing athlete guys…he’s a guy who has a really high ceiling, still room to get a lot better.”

Alabama won the SEC regular season and conference titles in 2021, posting a 26-7 record en route to a run to the Sweet 16, where they lost to National runner-up UCLA. It was Alabama’s first SEC title in 20 years and deepest tournament run since 2004. As a result, the Crimson Tide ended the 2020-21 season as the No. 5 ranked team in the nation. They begin the 21-22 season ranked No. 14 by the Associated Press.

While he won’t have a chance to help Alabama try to back up last season’s breakout this year, as he focuses on bringing a high school state championship to Richardson High as a senior, Rylan is excited to get to Tuscaloosa and help build on the program’s recent success.

“They’re pretty good right now, but this is just the start,” Rylan said. “I’m trying to bring whatever I need to bring. The goal is to win the championship, and continue to win SEC Championships.”