Family, friends, players and classmates gathered Wednesday at Andalusia High School to see Andalusia senior linebacker Nico Johnson sign a letter of intent to play with the University of Alabama Crimson Tide.

Wednesday was national signing day, where high school athletes declare where they will play college sports.

Johnson verbally committed to play at Alabama last September and said that’s where his heart is.

“It’s close to home and my mom stays sick all the time,” Johnson said. “I’ve been a fan ever since I was little.”

Alabama started to show an interest in him when he participated in a camp in Tuscaloosa the summer of his junior year.

Johnson said that while at Alabama, he hopes to play as a “true freshman and try to keep my grades up.”

“I’m just relieved to get it over with,” Johnson said.

Andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson, AHS principal Dr. Daniel Shakespeare, AHS football coach Brian Seymore and basketball coach Richard Robertson all spoke at the signing.