Ensworth cornerback Rico McGraw, who committed in mid-January to Georgia, confirmed Thursday that he now intends to sign with Alabama as part of the Crimson Tide’s 2015 recruiting class.

“They’ve got a better program overall, and … the things they’ve accomplished, putting players like myself in a better situation at the next level,” McGraw said in explaining his decision.

McGraw was a Tennessean first-team all-Midstate selection as a junior after totaling 29 tackles, three interceptions, five pass breakups and a forced fumble for the Division II-AA champion Tigers last fall. At the time of his Georgia commitment, he pointed to the recent hire of ex-Florida State assistant Jeremy Pruitt as defensive coordinator in keying his decision.

However, he said Thursday that he has considered a change since March and was looking at both Tennessee and Alabama in addition to the Bulldogs.

“Georgia’s a great place, they’ve got a lot of good things going on,” he said. “I don’t want to knock UT. They’ve got a great program and they’re making great moves.

“At the end of the day, I felt like Alabama put me in a better situation.”

Reach Maurice Patton at 615-259-8018 and on Twitter @mopatton_sports.