Kalen DeBoer just got the better of Kirby Smart yet again. Along with being 2-0 on the field against the Georgia head coach, DeBoer has also led Alabama to some significant wins over the Bulldogs on the recruiting trail.
That includes two of the top recruits in the state of Georgia during the 2026 cycle, 5-stars Xavier Griffin and Jorden Edmonds. While Corey Howard isn't on the same level of those two, he was still a priority for both the Bulldogs and the Crimson Tide in this cycle. On Sunday, following a visit to Tuscaloosa over the weekend, Howard flipped his commitment to Alabama.
BREAKING: Class of 2026 EDGE Corey Howard has Flipped his Commitment from Georgia to Alabama, he tells me for @rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) October 20, 2025
The 6’6 265 EDGE from Valdosta, GA had been Committed to the Bulldogs since June
“Bama 🏠”https://t.co/1s6jLNCtye pic.twitter.com/zUc1Rrl4Wl
The Valdosta native gives the Crimson Tide a much-needed extra body on the defensive line in this class. While he's only ranked as a consensus 3-star prospect - and the No. 695 overall recruit in the 2026 cycle - the fact that he was a priority for coaching staffs at Alabama and Georgia should tell you everything you need to know about him.
Howard has excellent size at 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds, and likely figures to slot in at the Bandit in Kane Wommack's defensive scheme. He's got the frame to add a lot more weight once he gets into a college strength-and-conditioning program.
3-star EDGE Corey Howard flips to Alabama from Georgia
This is another recruit that you just have to trust the evaluation by the staff. Again, the fact that Alabama and Georgia made him a priority should tell you everything you need to know about his long-term potential.
But even ignoring that, Kalen DeBoer - and specifically GM Courtney Morgan - have proven to know how to evaluate talent. There's two prominent examples making an impact for the Crimson Tide as true freshmen this season.
Both Lotzeir Brooks (low-end 4-star) and London Simmons (3-star) were under-recruited during the 2025 cycle. They've both carved out immediate roles and become impact players for the Crimson Tide during their first season on campus.
Keelon Russell is another obvious example of that. He was a 3-star committed to SMU when Alabama offered him and flipped him away from the Mustangs. He blew up during his senior season and became the No. 2 overall player in the 2025 class.
Howard may be a developmental player as he will need to add some weight, but he's got all the tools to be a contributor in Tuscaloosa down the road.