WSET.com - ABC13Brookville's Kirven Chooses Alabama

Reporter: Justin Feldkamp

Brookville High School's Korren Kirven says his decision came down to Alabama or Virginia Tech.

At his 8 a.m. Wednesday announcement in the high school auditorium, Kirven grabbed a gray Alabama hat out of a red Lids bag, put on the hat and said, "Roll Tide."

Alabama coach Nick Saban personally visited Kirven last Wednesday at the high school and with his family at their home. Kirven said that visit was very influential but that Tech coach Frank Beamer and Tennessee coach Derek Dooley also personally made the trip to visit him.

"It came down to the coaching staff, the development of the schools, and where I could achieve my goals," Kirven said.

Kirven took his official visit to Alabama on January 20th. "They have a mentality of a winner. They try to get everything done. They don't take no B.S. or anything like that," Kirven said.

The 6-foot-4, 272-pound Bees senior said he made up his decision Tuesday night but still had mixed feelings about that decision leading up to Wednesday's announcement.

Kirven is listed as a Top 100 recruit from several scouting services.

ESPN listed his description:

"Kirven can be an active and tough player in the trenches. He could rework his build some and still add some more good bulk with time in a college weight program, but overall has good size for the position. He gets in attacking stance and can be an explosive kid, but he does need to work to be more consistent in his get-off. He displays the ability to fire out low and play with leverage."

Kirven said Alabama recruited him as a defensive end.

Former Brookville stars Logan Thomas and Zach McCray play for Virginia Tech and McCray hosted Kirven on his official visit in Blacksburg. Kirven said, "They told me to go where I feel most comfortable and they would be happy for me either way."

Kirven's mother says she preferred her son go to Virginia Tech so she could be closer to her son during his college years but is happy with his decision. Kirven's father favored Alabama.

Kirven said Virginia was on his radar earlier in the recruiting process and one of UVa's recruits tried to persuade him to join him at UVa but Kirven "felt more comfortable with Tech as an in-state school."

ABC 13 Sports will have more on Kirven's signing on ABC 13 News Midday and at 6 p.m.