Alabama lands commitment from undervalued DL coveted by major programs

Alabama landed its eighth commitment in the 2026 class with 3-star defensive lineman JJ Finch choosing the Crimson Tide on Sunday over Michigan, Miami, Tennessee, and Purdue.

Finch, a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, is ranked as the No. 448 prospect in the country per the 247 composite and is the No. 50 defensive lineman. One look at his list of offers shows you a player whom the recruiting services are undervaluing.

Along with an impressive group of finalists, Finch held offers from the likes of Florida, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Penn State, among many others. He was highly coveted by some of the top programs in the country.

At 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds, Finch is a twitchy defensive lineman who figures to be a versatile piece for Freddie Roach's unit.

Alabama hosted Finch for an official visit at the end of May and held off Michigan, Tennessee, Miami, and home-state Purdue. The Tide was in a good position coming off his visit, but the Wolverines, Vols, and Hurricanes made a charge in his recruitment with recent visits.

Finch's commitment could be the start of a big recruiting run for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama

Alabama is finishing up a pivotal weekend of recruiting where Kalen DeBoer and company hosted the top three players in the state of Alabama. To aid in closing the deal, the Crimson Tide brought out the big guns with Nick Saban spending the weekend in Tuscaloosa to assist.

The dead period starts on Monday, but a lot of decisions are coming up for Alabama's top targets.

Later this week, both RB Ezavier Crowell and TE Mack Sutter are scheduled to announce their decisions. Both are slated to announce on the 26th, with the Crimson Tide feeling like they are in a good spot for both.

Next Sunday, 5-star LB Xavier Griffin will announce his decision. Alabama has felt like they were in a good spot for the coveted LB, but Texas and Ohio State have made it more of a fight than DeBoer and company would have preferred.

A trio of WR targets - Brian Williams, Cederian Morgan, and Boobie Feaster - will announce their commitments next week, too.

5-star safety Jireh Edwards is tentatively slated to announce on July 5th, but with predictions flying in for the Crimson Tide and his cancelled visits following his trip to Tuscaloosa, a commitment to Alabama feels imminent.

Many others will make their decisions known in the month of July. More good news should be on tap for DeBoer and company in the coming weeks.