ESPN 300 defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick committed to Alabama all the way back in April. The No. 27 ranked prospect committed early to get the process out of the way, and to ensure he could focus on his senior season.
“It was a blessing that I had the option to decide so early. So many coaches gave me the opportunity to go to their schools,” he said. “It was a little stress reliever for me to be able to focus on my season.”
That doesn’t mean Fitzpatrick has shut everything down completely, though. The No. 4 ranked cornerback was presented with his Under Armour All American jersey on Friday afternoon, then left Friday evening for a visit to Florida State.
He is checking out what the Seminoles have to offer, but says he is only making the trip to reaffirm his initial decision.
“It’s the most important decision that you’ll make in your lifetime,” he said. “You just want to make sure that it’s 100 percent sure. You just don’t want to have any second guesses.”
Fitzpatrick doesn’t have any other visits planned yet, but says he is still firmly committed to Alabama either way.
Congrats @SPPAthletics football Srs Minkah Fitzpatrick &Brandon Wimbush, named to @UnderArmour @AllAmericaGame today pic.twitter.com/lB6OW9d7wP
— Saint Peter's Prep (@spprep) October 3, 2014.
What one player are you looking forward to competing against?: I’m going down there just excited to compete against all the receivers and all the defensive backs.
If you could start a team with any other player in your class who would it be?: If it was defensively it would be Josh Sweat. Offensively, probably Blake Barnett. Josh Sweat is a big defensive end. I haven’t seen many people that can block him, and then Blake, I saw him compete at The Opening. I think he’s a great quarterback.
What was your earliest football memory?: Just playing flag football with my friends in town and the pop warner days. I think I was 6 years old when I first started.
Which football player did you idolize or want to be like when you were a kid?: I really liked Deion Sanders and just respected him as a player. I’m not as flashy as Deion, but I just like the way he played. I was supposed to meet him this summer at a camp, but I couldn’t get up there.
If you could take on any pro player in their sport who would it be?: Football it would be Calvin Johnson. I think it would be pretty fun to go against a guy like that.
Why do you wear your number?: I wear 21 right now because my father wore it in high school and my little brother wears it, too.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?: I’ve been playing soccer since I was around 3 all the way until I was in eighth grade. I had to make a pretty tough decision when I was in ninth grade, but football is what I wanted to play. I still play every now and then.
