Timing proved to be a key element for Alabama landing DB Jordan Battle.

A former Ohio State commit, Battle, from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., received an in-home visit from Alabama coach Nick Saban and two assistant coaches on the same day that Ohio State coach Urban Meyer confirmed his retirement, according to AL.com.

On the first day of college football’s early signing period, Dec. 19, Battle changed his commitment to Alabama and signed with the Crimson Tide. Battle is ranked as the nation’s No. 77 overall prospect and No. 6 safety, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. He is one of 23 players who signed in December with Alabama.

“The big decision between those two schools was the coaching change, of course,” Battle said at the Under Armour All-Star Game check-in, and later clarified he likely would have signed with Ohio State had Meyer stayed.

Battle is a 6-foot-1, 187-pound safety and rated a 4-star prospect. He explained his visit to Alabama during the season.

“I really liked it,” he said. “Everybody up there was great people. Coach Saban, of course, great people. Coach (Karl) Scott, the DB coach, was around me the whole time, and I was around Pat (Surtain), who I know real well.”

Surtain, of course, is a freshman defensive back who’s also from Fort Lauderdale, and he received increasingly more playing time this season.

Battle said Alabama coaches compared him to Minkah Fitzpatrick, a 2015 signee who earned a starting spot as a freshman, was honored with several individual awards, and was the No. 11 overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in last year’s NFL Draft.

“It motivates me,” Battle said. “It makes me want to work much more harder than I already have. Knowing Minkah and watching Minkah play, that’s tough comparison to live up to.

“I’ve seen him a play a lot,” Battled added. “He’s just a great player. His play recognition, his agility, his speed, his acceleration, coverage skills, everything is just great about him. That’s why he’s in the NFL right now.”