4-star CB Zabien Brown commits to Alabama: 'It felt more and more like home'

The decision for Santa Ana (Calif.) four-star cornerback Zabien Brown ultimately came down to two schools. He’d either stay home with USC or head east out to Tuscaloosa to play for Nick Saban and Alabama.

After thinking it over and talking with his family, Brown chose the latter committing to the Crimson Tide Sunday afternoon.

“When I went there as an underclassman, I spent time mostly with the coaches,” Brown told On3. “During my OV I got to see what the lifestyle is like hanging around the players and the facility. It felt more and more like home.”

Before USC really got involved in his recruitment, Brown figured that he’d likely commit somewhere outside of California. That was okay with him though as he viewed it as a chance to get away and really find himself.

Once USC got involved though the possibility of staying home seemed like a real possibility. That possibility didn’t do enough to sway him though.

Committing to Alabama was something that Brown thought about doing much earlier. He visited for the first time as a sophomore and nearly pledged right after that visit. Instead he decided to get the full recruiting experience.

Brown was back in Tuscaloosa again in January and had a strong feeling during that Junior Day visit that he’d ultimately commit there. USC never backed off though and for the next few months he took trips to both schools including officials in June.

After weeks of thinking on it, Alabama won a battle that was extremely tight in Brown’s mind.

“They get put into this light that it’s just a factory, they don’t care about you and they only care about the play on the field,” said Brown, the No. 62 player in the country. “Being up there, I really felt connections and the relationships with the players and coaches. Overall, you can tell that they really care about their guys and that was big for me.”

Similarities to Mater Dei also struck a chord with Brown

In middle school Brown and his family moved from Texas to California. He had the chance to play for any of the state’s top programs once he got to school and decided to play with several of the nation’s top players at Mater Dei.

He’ll get the chance to do that at the next level as well with the Crimson Tide.

“What helped me make my college decision, I kept looking back and coming back to why I chose Mater Dei,” Brown said. “The pros I had written down for Alabama versus other schools, it was similar to coming to Mater Dei. There’s a lot of similarities and played a big part in what drew me there.”

Competing against the best is something that Brown wants to do whether it’s in high school or in college. He’s doing it now at Mater Dei and only sees that level being upped once he’s at Alabama competing in the SEC.

“Alabama is the standard,” said Brown. ” I view it kind of like a boxing match. You’re by yourself and pushed into a corner. It’s about how you get out of it.

“They’re going to bring in the top recruits every year and you’re going to compete against the top guys. It puts a good type of pressure on you to perform.”