Western Kentucky landed their 18th commitment of the 2017 class on Monday night when Russellville (Ala.) offensive tackle Austin Stidham announced his verbal pledge on Monday evening.

The 6-foot-5, 255-pound prospect has visited campus multiple times, most recently for the Hilltoppers home game against Vanderbilt on September 24th.

For the Alabama product, Western Kentucky had it all.

"It's the place I felt the most at home. I love the staff and Coach (Dale) Williams really went out of the way to let me know that I was the guy he wanted to coach. It's overall a great program and I can't wait to be a part of it."

Stidham also held offers from the likes of Middle Tennessee, Southern Miss, Troy, Georgia State, Arkansas State, and others.

He becomes the fifth offensive lineman to commit to WKU in the 2017 class, joining the likes of Patrick Nuss, Woodford Lankford, Caleb Etheridge, and DeShon Washington.