5-star DB commits to Alabama, caps insane recruiting run for Kalen DeBoer

Kalen DeBoer and Alabama just struck again on the recruiting trail.

5-star safety Jireh Edwards from Upper Marlboro, Maryland announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide on Saturday, choosing Alabama over Auburn and Georgia.

Edwards is a consensus 5-star prospect and the No. 2 safety in the 2026 class, according to the 247 composite. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Edwards has the build of an NFL safety already. He's a player who could come in and contribute to Kane Wommack's defense immediately.

Edwards is the fifth 5-star pledge for the Crimson Tide in this recruiting cycle, and the fourth to join the class in the last nine days alone. RB Ezavier Crowell got the party started last Thursday, followed by LB Xavier Griffin on Sunday, and then WR Cederian Morgan on Wednesday.

In that same time frame, Alabama also added 4-star TE Mack Sutter and 4-star DL Nolan Wilson. Alabama's class, which ranked in the 40s just a couple of weeks ago, has now jumped all the way up to the Top 5.

The question of whether Kalen DeBoer and the new staff could recruit in the south has been answered emphatically for the second straight recruiting cycle. Alabama signed one of the five best classes in the country a year ago, and they are on pace to do so again this year.

Edwards' commitment might signal the end of the run for the time being. 5-star EDGE Anthony 'Tank' Jones is the most high-profile recruit remaining on the Tide's board, but he currently doesn't have a commitment date scheduled. He did announce on Thursday, however, a final three that included Alabama, along with Oregon and Texas A&M.

Jireh Edwards completes another elite crop of defensive backs

After signing arguably the top DB class in the country a year ago, Alabama has followed that up with another elite group of players in 2026. Edwards joins fellow 5-star Jorden Edmonds, the No. 1 CB in the country. 4-star in-state CB Zyan Gibson gives the Tide a talented duo of corners. The Tide also flipped Rutgers safety commit Rihyael Kelley a couple of weeks ago.

The cupboard is stocked full of talented players for DB coach Maurice Linguist. Alabama landed 5-star CB Dijon Lee a year ago, along with 4-stars Chuck McDonald (CB) and Ivan Taylor (S). That's not to mention true sophomore Zabien Brown at corner, who was a starter as a true freshman last year and will be the leader of the room for the 2026 season.

Alabama is projected to field one of the top secondaries in college football this season. That's not going to change anytime soon with the talent that continues to flock to Tuscaloosa.