Alabama was scheduled to host Orlando EDGE Frederick Ards on an official visit this weekend. Unfortunately, coming off his visit to Texas A&M, he committed to the Aggies on Tuesday. That means he won't likely take that trip to Tuscaloosa after all.
The Crimson Tide was playing catch-up in the recruitment of Ards, and the Aggies had been seen as the favorite going into the official visit season, but we've seen Kalen DeBoer and his staff work wonders during official visits in the past, so there was optimism that they could flip the script with Ards during his visit this weekend.
They unfortunately won't get the opportunity.
Ards' decision to commit to Texas A&M increases the urgency of the biggest EDGE left on Alabama's board. There are others, most notably 4-star Antwan Jackson, who remains on commit watch for the Crimson Tide, but he projects as a Bandit DE in Kane Wommack's system. In terms of a Qua Russaw-like Wolf LB, there's one priority target left for the Crimson Tide in the high school class.
Kalen DeBoer must go all in for 4-star EDGE KJ Green after missing on Frederick Ards
4-star EDGE KJ Green has long been the top target at the position for DeBoer and Wommack, but they'll have to survive multiple visits to other schools before he arrives in Tuscaloosa on June 19th.
Alabama is set for the critical last visit for Green, though that is a risky proposition with so many top prospects pulling the trigger on commitments already. Green intentionally set Alabama for last, however, as they've been at the top of his board. It will give DeBoer and company the chance to make the last impression on him before he commits. He's currently scheduled to make a decision on August 8th, but he could move that up after all his trips are taken.
The Georgia native has already taken official visits to Georgia and Oregon, and still has trips lined up to LSU and South Carolina before he treks over to Alabama. The Gamecocks may be the biggest competition for the Crimson Tide. Per the On3 visit center, Green has taken eight unofficial trips to Columbia.
Finding a Wolf LB in this class is a priority for Alabama. While Pierre still has a year of eligibility left after this season, most expect that he'll parlay a big season into early entry into the NFL Draft in 2027. That would leave Alabama with Justin Hill and potentially Xavier Griffin in the room, barring some portal additions.
Griffin projects as a Jihaad Campbell-type player in Alabama's system, bouncing between off-ball LB duties while being a situational pass rusher off the edge.
Green is more of a true EDGE type, and he's one of the best in the prep ranks. He racked up 40 tackles-for-loss and 18 sacks as a junior.
He's a high priority for several staffs, and Alabama will have to withstand big swings from other contenders like Georgia, Oregon, LSU, and South Carolina. But if the Crimson Tide can get him on campus later this month, they'll have a real shot at coming out on top of his recruitment and earning a huge win on the trail.
Add us as a preferred source on Google