As a highschool freshman in Lexington, Kentucky, Jedrick Wills got the opportunity to meet one of the top recruits in the state: running back Damien Harris, a junior who had already committed to the University of Michigan.

Harris, of course, ended up spurning the Wolverines in favor of Alabama, setting a precedent Wills, a four-star offensive tackle, would follow.

Two years after Harris was the No. 1 player in Kentucky and a top-40 recruit nationwide in 247Sports’ composite rating, Wills was No. 1 as well. And after watching Harris flip his commitment, Wills followed suit. Rather than stay home and play at the University of Kentucky, a college five minutes from his high school he visited eight times during his recruitment, Wills chose coach Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide.

Eleven days after his commitment, Harris hosted him on an official visit to Tuscaloosa, where he watched the No. 1 Crimson Tide cap off an undefeated season with a win in the Iron Bowl.

“Being from Kentucky, there’s not really too many people who go outside the state and go to real big schools,” Wills said. “Seeing [Harris] had that opportunity kind of opened up my eyes. I could see I had the chance to do the same thing.”

Wills is part of Alabama’s 2017 recruiting class, which includes six offensive starters – seven if you count running back Najee Harris.

However, like the others, Wills had to wait to get his chance to start. He started against Ole Miss last season, but only for one play as a sixth offensive lineman.

When Matt Womack, who started every game at right tackle last year, broke a bone in his foot twice during the offseason, the door was open for Wills.

He spent some time at right guard during fall camp but then switched back to tackle, where he’s started every game this season.

“When you first step on the field, after that first play the jitters go away, and after that first play you get very comfortable,” Wills said. “I feel like from game-to-game I’ve been very comfortable just playing.”

Wills opened the season with an impressive performance against Louisville. SEC Network analyst and former Auburn offensive lineman Cole Cubelic tweeted Wills had the best game of any SEC O-lineman in week one and the sophomore has a chance to become an “elite run blocker.”

Two of Wills’ teammates on the other side of the ball, Christian Miller and Raekwon Davis, also spoke highly of his performance this season, particularly his run blocking.

“He’s a really explosive athlete,” tight end Hale Hentges said. “Obviously a guy that plays with a lot of power, a lot of smarts, too, and he plays with a lot of poise for being young. Me personally, being side by side with him every day playing tight end and tackle, he’s done a really good job, and I can tell you firsthand that he’s very experienced and going to do a good job for us.”

On Saturdays this fall, the sophomore from Lexington clears running lanes for the senior from Berea, who gave him the inspiration to venture outside of the Bluegrass State.