Alabama has added its first international player to its 2024 football recruiting class. On Sunday, German linebacker Justin Okoronkwo announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide.

A three-star prospect according to 247Sports Composite, Okoronkwo is listed at 6-foot-3, 223-pounds, per his Twitter. He verbally committed to Maryland in November before revealing he was reopening his recruitment yesterday.

Okoronkwo joins Finnish offensive lineman Olaus Alinen (2023 class) and Australian punter James Burnip (2022) as the latest overseas prospects to pick Tuscaloosa. He played inside and outside linebacker for the Fursty Razorbacks in his hometown of Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany. He also joined coach Josh Alaeze’s Nurnberg Rams.

Okoronkwo participated in camps at Alabama and Georgia, showcasing his athleticism at both, before picking the Tide. Okoronkwo was brought to the U.S. as part of PPI Recruits’ Dreamchasers Tour which takes dozens of foreign athletes to Division I programs.

While Alabama linebacker coach Robert Bala isn’t allowed to directly comment on a recruit before a National Letter of Intent is signed, he alluded to the news on social media. Bala, along with new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, helped secure Okoronkwo’s verbal pledge.

Nick Saban now has 11 commitments this cycle and is poised to add more potentially later this afternoon with cornerback Zabien Brown. The class is currently ranked 26th overall.

MORE Tide Recruiting: Alabama football timeline: When will the Tide’s 2024 targets announce?

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected]