For the second straight cycle, Kalen DeBoer and Alabama will sign one of the top recruiting classes in the country. But even the best recruiters are going to lose some head-to-head battles from time to time. It just always stings a little bit more when it's to one of your bitter rivals.
3-star DL JJ Finch, who committed to Alabama over the summer, flipped his commitment on Wednesday and signed with Tennessee.
BREAKING: Four-Star DL JJ Finch has Flipped his Commitment from Alabama to Tennessee!⁰⁰The 6’3 278 DL from Indianapolis, IN had been Committed to the Crimson Tide since June⁰⁰https://t.co/UVSxhMatU2 pic.twitter.com/D55yLzuMLp
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 4, 2025
Finch, an Indianapolis native, remains highly undervalued by the recruiting industry. He has been heavily pursued by all the heavy hitters in recruiting, including Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Miami, and Oklahoma, among numerous others.
Finch had the opportunity to come to Tuscaloosa and contribute right away in the same way that London Simmons has done this season for the Tide. Like Finch, Simmons was underrated throughout the recruiting process and immediately proved himself as a contributor in the SEC.
Finch is going to be a quality football player at the next level. It's unfortunate that's going to happen in Knoxville.
Alabama got good news on Tuesday from two DL to soften the blow of Finch's flip
Alabama added a commitment on Tuesday from 3-star in-state DL Malique Franklin. The Crimson Tide extended an offer to Franklin on Monday, and he committed the very next day. Once DeBoer and company offered and accepted the commitment from Franklin, it seemed to be the writing on the wall for Finch's eventual flip to Tennessee.
The better news on Tuesday came from another Alabama DL commitment who rebuffed overtures from Miami to remain in the Crimson Tide's 2026 class.
4-star DL Nolan Wilson announced on Tuesday that his recruitment was shut down and he would be signing with the Tide on Wednesday:
Top 100 DL Nolan Wilson has completely shut down his recruitment, he tells BOL.
— Andrew Bone (@AndrewJBone) December 2, 2025
He noted it was close, at the end, with Miami doing whatever it could to flip him.
But his heart was always with Alabama- his first offer.
More on Wilson:https://t.co/U5wCVSNCE2 pic.twitter.com/iyBSvp04m7
The 4-star Mississippi native has long been one of the top players in Alabama's class, ranking as the No. 53 overall player in the 247 composite. Miami made it close, but in the end, Alabama was able to hang on.
Even without Finch, DeBoer has put together an impressive defensive line class:
- 4-star Nolan Wilson
- 4-star Jamarion Matthews
- 4-star Kamhariyan Johnson
- 3-star Corey Howard
- 3-star Malique Franklin