Kalen DeBoer and Alabama have made a big impression on 5-star, 2027 CB John Meredith III. Meredith is the No. 1 overall player in the 247 composite, and the Crimson Tide is among the top contenders for the Euless, Texas native.
Per On3's Hayes Fawcett, Meredith has trimmed his list down to 11 schools. It may not feel like much, but when you are coveted by every program in college football, trimming down to 11 is no small feat:
NEWS: Five-Star Plus+ CB John Meredith III is down to 11 Schools, he tells me for @rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) October 22, 2025
The 6’2 175 CB from Arlington, TX is ranked as the No. 1 Recruit in the 2027 Class (per Rivals Industry)
Where Should He Go?https://t.co/pU8dpckHas pic.twitter.com/wZ8C5FMSCY
According to Rivals, however, two teams have emerged head and shoulders ahead of the others early in the process for Meredith.
Alabama and Texas A&M have made the biggest impression on Meredith in the early goings of his recruitment, and they are out in front at this point in time:
Inside the recruitment of Five-Star Plus+ CB John Meredith as Alabama and Texas A&M battle at the top over the No. 1 prospect, who is expected to see Ohio State and SMU later this fall
— Sam Spiegelman (@samspiegs) October 22, 2025
More on Meredith: https://t.co/6zIXwEBQEg @JOHN_MEREDITH2 pic.twitter.com/abvfVhRbsY
Alabama has postioned itself well in the recruitment for John Meredith
Meredith took an unofficial visit to Alabama over the weekend of October 4th for the Vanderbilt game. He visited Texas A&M the following week. So far, those have been his only two reported gameday visits, so it makes sense that those two are currently standing out in his mind. It doesn't mean it will stay that way.
It's still very early in the process for Meredith, and he'll do his due diligence. According to Rivals, he's going to try to get to games at Ohio State and SMU before the season is over. SMU might seem out of place, but he's from the Dallas-Fort Worth area and playing for the Mustangs would represent the best opportunity to stay at home.
Meredith is the latest elite defensive back that Alabama has put itself in a good position for. DeBoer and DB coach Maurice Linguist are looking to sign a 5-star corner for the third consecutive class.
5-star CB Dijon Lee was one of the crown jewels of the 2025 class, and the California native has carved out an immediate role in the Alabama defense. Alabama holds a commitment from 5-star CB Jorden Edmonds in the 2026 class. That's not to mention some elite safety recruits, either, like Ivan Taylor in the 2025 cycle and 5-star Jireh Edwards in 2026.
Alabama is stacking talent in the defensive back room. Meredith would be an excellent addition, but he won't come easily, and certainly not cheaply. He'll have some massive NIL/Rev-Share offers on the table, and if it comes down to the highest bidder, that probably won't be the Crimson Tide. But if he wants to go somewhere he can develop - and have an opportunity to play early on a contending team - there's not a better spot than Tuscaloosa.