Alabama defensive lineman and former Meridian standout Raekwon Davis announced on Twitter Wednesday evening his decision to return to the Crimson Tide for his senior season.

Davis has posted 128 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks and one interception in three seasons at Alabama.

Demetrius Hill, Davis’ defensive line coach at Meridian, spoke with Davis morning Wednesday morning.

“I talked with him early this morning, and we had a conversation about what was going on and what his heart felt and the direction that he needs to go,” Hill said. “And as I told him, ‘You have done everything that you need to do, but you have to make that decision, and the most important thing is coming out of there with a degree.’ It’s very important to finish what you’ve started. Go to school, finish, get your degree and everything else will play to his hands. And I still feel he’s one of the best d-lineman out there in college football today, but he had to weigh his options, and I think he made a great decision.”

Hill said he fully supports Davis’ decision to finish his degree. 

“For me as a coach to see my players play at that high level and have an opportunity to come out as a junior, but to think about his future and come out of there with a degree from a great university, is a great honor for him,” Hill said. “It speaks to you as a coach when you know what a kid’s had to go through and work through to get where he’s at.”