When it came down to it, Westbrook Christian High (Ala.) quarterback Brodie Croyle decided to stay close to home, ending months of speculation by opting for the University of Alabama over Florida State, Oklahoma and LSU.

	Brodie Croyle jump started his Alabama career by graduating high school early and arriving in time for spring practice.

Croyle, considered the nation's top QB, had an in-house visit on Monday with new Crimson Tide coach Dennis Franchione, who answered all of the 6-foot-3, 195-pound signal-caller's questions.

"I had heard he was a running coach, but he explained that he went on what personnel he had," Croyle told SchoolSports.com on Thursday afternoon. "He told me to go back and look at what he did at the University of New Mexico."

Croyle did one better. He called former Lobos and current Detroit Lions quarterback Stoney Case.

"(Case) told me pretty much the same things that Coach Franchione did," said Croyle, whose senior season ended in the first game when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). "That probably secured it for me."

When Alabama coach Mike Dubose was fired last month, Croyle was leaning toward FSU or Oklahoma, but familiarity and the chance to secure a starting job sooner at Alabama were the deciding factors.

"Alabama is where I've always wanted to go," said Croyle, whose father, John, was a lineman on Alabama coach Bear Bryant's 1973 national championship team. "It'll be just like transferring to another school because I already know pretty much everybody down there - all the players and plenty of students. It won't be a big adjustment at all."

Croyle will graduate from high school early, and his first day of class at Alabama will be Jan. 10.

Said Croyle, "I'm just happy it's over with, and I'm happy I'm going to Alabama."