Last May, Hale Hentges believed Alabama was the place he wanted to continue his football career.
Wednesday morning, he made it official, signing a national letter of intent with the Crimson Tide during a ceremony at Helias High School.
"I felt it was the place that God was calling me to be," Hentges said. "I fell in love with everything down there and I was at peace with my decision."
The decision process, finalized during his recent official visit to Tuscaloosa, Ala., was started during an unofficial visit to the school last spring.
"It just blew us away," Hentges said.
Hentges was a four-star recruit, ranked as high as the No. 3 tight end in the country and among the top 150 prospects in the country. He was the No. 3 prospect in Missouri.
During Hentges' visit last month, Alabama announced Lane Kiffin was returning as offensive coordinator. Kiffin, who has been head coach with the Oakland Raiders as well as collegiately at Tennessee and USC, was rumored to be a candidate to become offensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers after one season at Alabama.
Hentges is happy to see Kiffin returning to the Crimson Tide.
"I like what he did with the offense," he said. "I'm excited he is coming back with a pro-style and spread formations in the offense."
Hentges' talent was apparent early to college coaches. He began to receive college offers after his freshman season at Helias.
"At times, as the offers were rolling in, there was shock factor," Chris Hentges, Hale's father and offensive coordinator at Helias, said. "Hale started getting offers as a freshman and I was wondering what was going on. Recruiting has changed so much."
Alabama had a need at tight end. Brian Vogler, a senior, is currently No. 1 at the position, followed by sophomore O.J. Howard. Vogler caught just six passes last season, while Howard had 17 receptions.
"I have a chance to come in and compete, but obviously, I have a lot of work to do before then," Hale Hentges said.
Hentges is part of what is widely regarded as the best recruiting class in the country at Alabama under head coach Nick Saban. He is the lone tight end signed by the Crimson Tide.
"It's great to see how many great players are getting together to try and accomplish something special," he said. "It's going to be fun to compete with those guys."
Hentges totaled 169 receptions in his four years at Helias, totaling 2,559 yards and 34 touchdowns. As a senior, he caught 52 passes for 969 yards and 11 scores in his second straight season with all-state honors on offense. As a sophomore, Hentges was named all-state as a defensive end.
After Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel made a visit to a Helias home game late last season. there was speculation the Tigers were still in contention to get Hentges.
"They were always in the back of mind, being close and being such a great program," Hentges said. "I really got to know the coaches well, they were a close second.
"But I'm excited to get to work at Alabama."
That will begin in earnest when he heads to Tuscaloosa in late May.
"I feel Hale's at peace after 21/2 years of thinking about it," Chris Hentges said. "He has said several times recently he will be glad when it's official because there hasn't been a day in the last 21/2 years when he hasn't thought about it.
"It's nice to have it behind us."