The crown jewel of Auburn’s Class of 2012 has changed his mind.

Daphne High running back T.J. Yeldon — widely considered one of the top running back prospects in the nation — decommitted from Auburn and committed to Alabama on Sunday.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Yeldon, who committed to the Tigers in June and was on course to enroll early and go through spring practice, will now enroll at Alabama in January.

“Over the last few weeks, I’ve really put a lot of time and thought into where I want to go to school and continue my football career,” Yeldon said in a statement. “I have a lot of respect for Auburn, the coaches, and all of the people there, but at the end of the day I feel like the University of Alabama is the best situation and fit for me and my family.

“I am 100 percent confident with my final decision. I feel great about it and I’m excited to get started.”

Yeldon’s announcement comes four days after Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn was announced as the new head coach at Arkansas State and mere hours before the start of a recruiting “dead period” that runs from midnight Monday morning through Jan. 3. Coaches are not permitted any contact with prospects during that period, expect ones who have been admitted for mid-year enrollment, and have signed a National Letter of Intent or other offer of admission and/or financial aid statement for their schools.

Yeldon is a five-star recruit according to Rivals.com and 247Sports.com and a four-star according to Scout.com. He is the top-ranked running back in the Class of 2012 according to 247Sports, No. 3 on Rivals and No. 10 on Scout.

He rushed for 2,193 yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior at Daphne, finishing his prep career with nearly 4,700 rush yards and 65 touchdowns.

Auburn’s Class of 2012 numbers 15 commits, including 6-1, 220-pound running back Jovon Robinson out of Wooddale High in Memphis, Tenn., a four-star rectuit.

Auburn’s backfield, which once looked like a certain strong point for next year’s team, is in flux.

Sophomore Mike Dyer has been suspended indefinitely for an unspecified violation of team rules, junior Onterio McCalebb has said he’s planning on sending away for an NFL Draft evaluation, and Yeldon will be wearing crimson instead of navy blue.

The Tigers also have freshman Tre Mason returning, along with Mike Blakely and Corey Grant, who both sat out this season due to transfer rules after coming over from Florida and Alabama, respectiv