2026 Alabama commit put on flip watch: Is there cause for concern?

JJ Finch was an overlooked piece of Kalen DeBoer’s early-summer recruiting hot streak, but he’s still an important piece of the 2026 Alabama recruiting class. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound three-star from Indianapolis is one of just four defensive linemen committed to the Tide and one of two who project as an interior player at the next level. 

Now, just a few months after his June 22 commitment date, Finch is being placed on flip watch by Greg Smith of Rivals with Tennessee, LSU, and Miami reportedly still in contact, but should their pursuit be cause for concern to Alabama fans? 

JJ Finch remains locked in with the Crimson Tide until further notice

It’s possible that Finch eventually decides to flip his commitment. Until recruits are on campus, there’s always that risk in the modern landscape of college football. Another program could swoop in at the last minute with a big money offer and steal the player away, but judging from Smith’s report, this isn’t any more likely with Finch than it is with any other player in the country. 

Finch was quoted as saying, “I’d have to say Miami, LSU, Tennessee, and Purdue are the main ones still reaching out. They are trying to get me down for a game.” Adding, “I don’t have any plans to visit them currently.” 

Teams will always stay in communication with recruits until they officially shut down their recruitment, and maybe even after. With the prevalence of the Transfer Portal, it’s doubtful that the communication ever really stops until their eligibility is exhausted, but if Finch isn’t planning any fall visits, then there is no reason for Tide fans to worry. 

Even if Finch intended to head to Baton Rouge, Knoxville, or Miami, that wouldn’t be anything out of the ordinary. For now, he’s locked in with Alabama. That’s subject to change, because that’s the reality of the sport, but DeBoer and general manager Courtney Morgan do not need to start looking at other defensive line prospects for 2026. 

With Finch, Nolan Smith, Jamarion Matthews, and Kamhariyan Johnson, Alabama has four talented defensive linemen heading to Tuscaloosa, but the position is far from the strength of the class. Holding onto this group will be a priority for Alabama after it missed out on in-state five-star Tank Jones, who committed to Oregon in July.