Kane Wommack and Maurice Linguist certainly have a type at DB.
They've proven in recruiting that they prefer bigger corners, and that's exactly what they'll get out of Mercer transfer Carmelo O'Neal, who committed to Alabama on Saturday following a recent visit.
BREAKING: Mercer transfer CB Carmelo O’Neal has Committed to Alabama, he tells @On3Sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 10, 2026
The 6’4 200 CB totaled 56 tackles, 12 PBUs, 2 sacks, and 1 FF in his time with the Bears
He’ll have 2 years of eligibility lefthttps://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/nKdeJh56Rf
O'Neal will have two years of eligibility remaining and adds some needed depth to the Crimson Tide's defensive backfield following the loss of Cam Calhoun in the Transfer Portal.
Carmelo O'Neal is a pure upside swing by the Alabama staff in the portal
O'Neal spent two seasons at FCS Mercer. He played safety for the Bears, totaling 56 tackles and 12 pass breakups.
Alabama saw O'Neal up close a year ago during his freshman season. He recorded three tackles against the Crimson Tide during a 52-7 Bama win.
O'Neal was recruited by the Alabama staff as a corner, and could potentially slot in as the nickel corner - Husky - in Wommack's defensive scheme. Red Morgan will likely be the starter at that spot, but O'Neal could add some needed depth behind him following the graduation of Da'Shawn Jones.
Alabama has one of the most talented secondaries in the country, but needed a little bit of extra depth, and O'Neal is the exact type of fit from a build and athleticism standpoint that Linguist prefers from his defensive backs. With his safety experience, he seems like a perfect fit as a reserve Husky, who could ultimately carve out a role down the road for the Crimson Tide. He'll likely be a core special teams player immediately.
O'Neal joins an Alabama CB room that also features 6-foot-4 Dijon Lee and incoming 6-foot-3 freshman Jordan Edmonds.
O'Neal becomes the eighth commitment in the Crimson Tide's Transfer Portal class, for now. The staff could potentially see top commitment Hollywood Smothers, a RB from NC State, back off his pledge to Alabama as he is currently on a visit to Texas and has yet to sign with the Tide.
You can keep track of all of Alabama's Transfer Portal activity by following this link.