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Southside wide receiver Derick Smith ended the college football recruiting process Monday by picking the University of Alabama over several other big-name programs.

“I would like to thank God for blessing me with the talents and abilities to play the game that I love,” Smith said. “I’d also like to thank my coaches, family, and friends who have been with me every step of this football journey. Mom, my angel, I love you and I know you’re smiling down.”

Auburn, Georgia, Ole Miss, Florida State, Florida and Louisiana State University (LSU) were under consideration for the 6-foot-4 Smith’s commitment according to  an announcement on social media. But Smith chose Alabama and new head coach Kalen DeBeor. Smith visited Alabama in February, a month after DeBeor toured the Southside campus.

“It’s a lot that I like about them,” Smith said. “Bama, it’s a good place. It’s where you want to be to get drafted and go to the NFL and go the next level.”.

Smith earned The Selma Times-Journal football player of the year. Smith ran 65 times for 1,036 yards and nine touchdowns. Smith caught 46 passes for 1,487 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also ran 78 times for 289 yards and two TDs. Defensively, Smith had 109 total tackles and a Pick-6.

“Smith displays uncanny open-field playmaking for a prospect of his stature,” 247Sports National Analyst Cooper Petagna said. “Not only demonstrating the speed and acceleration to change gears at the second level but his contact balance, in addition to his play strength as a runner makes him difficult to defend in space.”

For three straight years, Smith was named All-State by the Alabama Sportswriters Association (ASWA). Smith was also named a Prep All-American by MaxPreps.

​​“Derick has a lot of instinctive motivation,” Southside head football coach Charles Moody said. ”He comes to work every day and continues to strive to be the best he can be.”

The early NCAA signing period will be between Dec. 4-6.