Kalen DeBoer’s 2026 recruiting class doesn’t quite feature the big splash he made with five-star quarterback Keelon Russell in 2025, but the second-year Alabama head coach has managed to lock down commitments from two talented four-stars at the position, Tayden Kaawa and Jett Thomalla.
Thomalla was the first to commit, is the higher-rated of the two QBs, and made the bigger splash through the summer with an impressive Elite 11 showing, advancing to the Elite 11 Finals. Now, he’s making history in his senior season at Millard South High School in Omaha, Nebraska.
With five touchdowns in a 77-0 win over Lincoln Southeast on Thursday night, Thomalla set the all-time record for career touchdown passes in the state of Nebraska, with 101.
FINAL: Alabama commit Jett Thomalla leads Millard South (NE) to a 77-0 victory over Lincoln Southeast🤯
— Rivals High School (@Rivals_HS) September 26, 2025
The 4-star QB now has the state record for career TD passes (101).
Recap: https://t.co/WTjtnVVwiO pic.twitter.com/IOuj0qzxcq
Jett Thomalla becomes all-time TD passes leader in Nebraska
Thomalla has already had a legendary career at Millard South. Last season, as a junior, he led the school to its first state title in 15 years. A week ago, he set the Class A record for career touchdown passes when he surpassed 94, and wasted very little time overtaking the overall state record.
As a junior, Thomalla threw for 3,664 yards and 47 touchdowns with just three interceptions. That season led to an Iowa State commitment for the four-star, but he flipped to Alabama this summer and is locked in with the Tide. DeBoer offered the strong-armed passer in May, and it took just a month to land his commitment.
Thomalla is the No. 10-ranked QB in the 2026 class, the top-ranked player in Nebraska, and the 163rd overall recruit nationally. At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, he has prototypical size for a quarterback at the next level. He’s a plus athlete, excelling on the basketball court as well, but he’s much more comfortable as a quick-game passer than a runner or off-schedule creator. He could fit well in the DeBoer/Ryan Grubb offense, which requires its quarterback to throw with anticipation and push the ball downfield.
He may not be as highly-touted as Russell, but there’s real value to the amount of experience Thomalla has amassed at the high school level, and it could help him transition to the college game. Still, he’s likely to have a long road to seeing the field in Tuscaloosa if Russell ultimately takes over for Ty Simpson after this season, or after next.
However, if Simpson returns for his redshirt senior season and Russell considers the transfer portal, Thomalla will become an even more important piece of the program.