If the commitments hold, Alabama’s 2017 class of running backs could be the best in the nation.

The Tide received a verbal pledge from Cam Akers on Tuesday. Akers, a consensus four-star player, rates as the No. 1 prospect from the state of Mississippi.

The 5-foot-11, 210-pound high school quarterback ran for 17 touchdowns as a sophmore. He also threw for 1,800 yards and 20 touchdowns.

The nation’s No. 54 prospect according to the 247Sports composite rankings, Akers chose Alabama over LSU, Georgia, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Tennessee and others.

Akers still plans to visit other schools and remain in contact with coaches.

“I know other schools are going to come after me,” Akers said, according to the Clarion-Ledger. “I probably won’t decommit but it’s available if I have to. As of right now, I know where I’m going.

“[Alabama is] just a winning school. They produce young men, athletes and turn them into successful men. Even if you don’t go to the league, you’re going to be successful in whatever you do.”

The Crimson Tide already have gotten a commitment from five-star Najee Harris, the No. 1 running back in the country. Akers ranks No. 5, according to the 247Sports composite, giving Alabama a pair of top-5 players at the position. B.J. Emmons, formerly a Georgia commitment and the third-best running back in a modest 2016 class, recently pledged to Bama as well.

Akers represents the sixth player to commit to Alabama for 2017. All of them are four- or five-star players, giving the Tide a quality start to the next class.