Options for Alabama to pivot on defensive line, safety in 2025 recruiting class

Following a weekend of decommitments, Alabama may need to pivot to shore up certain areas of its 2025 recruiting class. The defensive line class now includes only 3-star London Simmons. Simmons is a quality prospect, but Bama simply needs more interior bodies up front. Alabama's defensive back class is also relatively thin. Though the secondary is buoyed by elite cornerbacks Dijon Lee and Chuck McDonald, the cupboard at safety is now bare. 

Bama will likely continue recruiting in-state defensive lineman Antonio Coleman after his flip to Auburn. If his track record is any indication, Coleman's back and forth recruitment between the Tide and the Tigers is far from over. The Tide also remains in pursuit of elite 5-star Justus Terry, though he will be difficult to snatch from the clutches of Georgia. 

Alabama was also a finalist for 4-star defensive tackle Josiah Sharma, who committed to Oregon earlier this summer before recently flipping to Texas, as well as Oklahoma commit Floyd Boucard. It remains to be seen if Alabama will double back on any of these prospects that it seemingly had good relationships with. 

The Tide has struggled to gain traction at the safety spot in this cycle, missing on top-100 targets like Ivan Taylor and Anquon Fegans. Even when it had Derick Smith in the class, Alabama was looking to add another safety. Now that Smith has flipped, the Tide’s class has no safety prospects. 

However, On3’s Joseph Hastings has reported that Bama is making a strong push for 4-star Jordan Young. Young is ranked as the 12th-best safety in the country and would be an excellent option for the Tide to fall back on. 

Pickings are pretty slim at both the interior defensive line and safety positions in the 2025 cycle. Still, signing day is a long way away and this is a very resourceful Alabama coaching staff. Even if the Tide has a gap or two in its final recruiting class, today’s college football will afford it the opportunity to supplement via the transfer portal.