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Former Alabama commit Byers headed to Missouri instead of JUCO

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Four-star defensive tackle Akial Byers, who failed to academically qualify at Alabama and planned to go to junior college for one semester, will instead attend Missouri in the fall, he announced Thursday.

Byers, ranked 151st overall on the ESPN 300, was expected to join the Crimson Tide in 2018 after he was unable to sign with Nick Saban's program on National Signing Day.

"Coach Saban talked to me. They're going to get me in there (Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College) and get me out in January," he said ahead of signing day. "That's the plan. ... I'll just be a 2018 Alabama commit now."

Byers was the top-ranked recruit from the state of Arkansas, but was barely recruited by his hometown school because of his academic situation.

Assuming his enrollment at Missouri goes smoothly, Byers will be the Tigers' top-ranked prospect for their 2017 class.

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