The Crimson Tide is preparing for its upcoming Rose Bowl matchup against the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers, but Alabama is also getting ready for something else: next season.
In a sneak peek of what's to come, early enrollees Jorden Edmonds and Zyan Gibson joined the Tide in California for a practice session ahead of the second round of the College Football Playoff.
Kane Wommack, Alabama's defensive coordinator, got to put eyes on the two blue-chip defensive backs, who were a part of the Crimson Tide's recruiting class of 2026, which ranked fourth in the national standings.
Jorden Edmonds and Zyan Gibson already with Alabama
Edmonds, a four-star cornerback who ranked fourth in the nation at the position, committed to the Crimson Tide over a slew of other SEC programs, including his home-state team: the Georgia Bulldogs.
He signed with 'Bama in March of this year, ensuring that he could join the Tide before expected, announcing he would cut his senior year of high school short and enroll early at Alabama.
Gibson, another four-star defensive back, was the No. 9 CB in the class of 2026 and chose the Crimson Tide over his other home-state team, the Auburn Tigers, and 10 other SEC teams. He actually put pen to paper over a year ago, signing with Alabama on Christmas Eve in 2024.
Kane Wommack greets early enrollee CBs Jorden Edmonds and Zyan Gibson at Alabama’s Tuesday Rose Bowl practice at El Camino College. pic.twitter.com/hBTCYF5Xss
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) December 30, 2025
Wommack and the rest of the Alabama coaching staff are obviously focused on the task at hand: the quarterfinal College Football Playoff game. However, it sure doesn't hurt to put eyes on the players who will play critical roles in the coming years.
On New Year's Day, the No. 9 Crimson Tide and the No. 1 Hoosiers are scheduled to kick off their quarterfinal matchup at the Rose Bowl at 3 p.m. CT, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.