Nation’s No. 2 Kicker Switches Commitment from Alabama to Arizona State

For the second straight recruiting cycle, Alabama has failed to hang onto one of the nation's top kickers in the class. 

Brandon Ruiz, the nation's second-ranked kicker from Arizona, announced that he would re-open his recruitment eight months after committing to Alabama. This is the note he shared Sunday on Twitter.

Ruiz, who was recently named the Chris Sailer Placekicker of the Year and earned first-team high school All-American honors, committed to Arizona State one day later.

Last year, Nick Saban dealt with the same thing when Eddy Piniero made a late switch to Florida. He went on to make 21 of his 25 field goal attempts, including all three from 50+ yards.

The Crimson Tide loses senior kicker Adam Griffith off last year's roster and returns just one placekicker on the roster. Ole Miss transfer Andy Pappanastos will be a redshirt senior in 2017 and made his lone field goal attempt last season.