Bama Central

Top OT Elijah Pritchett Signs with Alabama

Pritchett is the highest-rated offensive tackle by SI All-American and will be joining the Crimson Tide this summer.

Katie Windham

Elijah Pritchett

Alabama has officially added the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2022 class according to SI All-American when Elijah Pritchett signed with the Crimson Tide on Wednesday. 

Pritchett has been committed to Alabama since late September, so this was no surprise. He is the top rated offensive tackle and No. 16 overall player in the SI99 rankings. Pritchett left little intrigue on Wednesday by getting his papers in promptly at 7:02 a.m. becoming the first official member of Alabama's 2022 class. 

The 6'6", 280-pound offensive tackle out of Carver High School in Columbus, Georgia chose Alabama over Georgia, Florida State and USC. For the Georgia product, the decision ultimately came down to the Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs. In the end, his relationship with Nick Saban and offensive line coach Doug Marrone combined with the feeling he got on his visits to Tuscaloosa sold Pritchett on the Crimson Tide. 

"It was really tough, the toughest battle was between Alabama and Georgia," Pritchett told SI All-American back in September. "I got love for Georgia. There's a lot of people depending on me but it's still my journey and wherever I feel I will achieve the best and wherever is home to me. The only person going through this journey is me.

"Alabama stood out in a lot of ways, really. Winning national championships, the people and everyone gives me a higher chance to get to the next chapter. Also, I like to compete and I feel like they have the best players to get myself better every day."

Pritchett will join the Crimson Tide in the summer and brings a skillset and physical frame that is perfect for an offensive tackle in pass protection or the run game. 

ELIJAH PRITCHETT

OT, 6-6, 300, Columbus, Ga./Carver

One of the top offensive line prospects in the 2022 cycle who is a high four-star prospect … rated No. 31 in the Rivals250, the No. 5 offensive tackle and No. 11 player in Georgia … ranked No. 54 on the 247Composite, the No. 7 offensive tackle and No. 4 player in Georgia … listed 67th in the Top247 … rated as the No. 9 tackle and No. 6 player in Georgia by 247Sports … the No. 8 player in the state by ESPN.com while ranking 103rd on the ESPN300, the No. 14 tackle and No. 41 player in the Southeast Region … earned a spot in the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas … coached by Corey Joyner at Carver High School … chose Alabama over Florida State, Georgia and USC.

This story will be updated. 

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Katie Windham
KATIE WINDHAM

Katie Windham is the assistant editor for BamaCentral, primarily covering football, basketball gymnastics and softball. She is a two-time graduate of the University of Alabama and has covered a variety of Crimson Tide athletics since 2019 for outlets like The Tuscaloosa News, The Crimson White and the Associated Press before joining BamaCentral full time in 2021. Windham has covered College Football Playoff games, the Women's College World Series, NCAA March Madness, SEC Tournaments and championships in multiple sports. 

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