It's shaping up to be a huge weekend in Tuscaloosa for Alabama's annual Junior Day. Numerous elite prospects will be in town for a visit, including what could be the Crimson Tide's next great QB-WR duo with Elijah Haven and Monshun Sales.
But the highest-ranked prospect was just added to the visitors' list on Thursday. And they don't get any bigger.
5-star CB John Meredith III, the No. 1 overall player in the 247 composite, will make the trip to Tuscaloosa on Saturday, according to 247's Brett Greenberg:
NEW: Five-star No. 1 CB John Meredith will return to Alabama for Junior Day on Saturday!
— Brett Greenberg (@BrettGreenberg_) January 30, 2026
No. 6 overall prospect hosted @CoachMoLinguist earlier this month.
One of three top-ranked prospects joining No. 1 QB Elijah Haven & No. 1 WR Monshun Sales.
🔗 https://t.co/usPUgNBVAT pic.twitter.com/YuCQ2vdB6S
Alabama gets pivotal visit from John Meredith III
The 6-foot-3, 175-pound corner is the consensus No. 1 CB in the class. The Fort Worth native is as coveted as any player in the class, and Alabama's recent history of elite defensive back recruiting and development could put them in a great position to land him.
Alabama DB coach Maurice Linguist is as good as it gets as a recruiter and talent evaluator, and his two years in Tuscaloosa have shown his knack for getting young defensive backs ready to play early for the Crimson Tide.
Alabama has had two prominent cornerbacks earn starting roles as freshmen in back-to-back years. Zabien Brown started every game as a true freshman in 2024 and will enter his junior season as a two-year starter and one of the top CB prospects for the 2027 draft class.
Dijon Lee carved out a starting role as a freshman in 2025, ultimately overtaking senior Domani Jackson and starting five games in his first season at the Capstone.
Linguist and DC Kane Wommack have shown that the best players are going to play, no matter seniority. That's attractive to a kid with the ability of Meredith.
The 5-star CB prospect took an unofficial visit to Alabama back in October for the Crimson Tide's win over Vanderbilt. This will be a pivotal visit as Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide will look to take a big step in his recruitment.
Alabama has signed a 5-star CB in three consecutive classes with Brown, Lee, and then Jorden Edmonds in the 2026 cycle. Meredith could continue that trend.