Highly-touted transfer guard Mark Sears has a new home, and it’s in the SEC and close to home.

Sears, who averaged 19.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game with Ohio in 2021-22, will play for Nate Oats at Alabama, he announced on his Twitter account on Thursday.

Sears is a native of Muscle Shoals, Ala. and played prep ball at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia. He was considered the country’s No. 37 point guard when he signed with the Bobcats out of the class of 2020.

Following a freshman season where he registered 8.5 points and 3.3 assists an outing, he saw massive improvement as a sophomore, being named 1st-team All-MAC as a result. He helped lead Ohio to a 25-10 record, including 14-6 in conference play. The Bobcats fell to Abilene Christian in the CBI quarterfinals.

Now, Sears will head to the Crimson Tide, where he hopes to help his new team bounce back from a disappointing season that saw them finish 9-9 in the SEC and fall in the first round of the NCAA Tournament a year after a Sweet 16 run.