Gadsden cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick became the Tide’s fifth — and possibly most important — pickup of National Signing Day.

The 6-foot-2-inch, 180-pound defensive back chose Alabama over Auburn, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Texas and Southern Cal.

Kirkpatrick is rated the No. 5 cornerback in the country and No. 2 player in Alabama by Scout.com, and No. 1 cornerback in the country and No. 2 player in Alabama by Rivals.com.