Alabama's historic run on the recruiting trail this summer for the 2026 cycle should finally be slowing down, but it's not quite complete yet, either.
Safety Jireh Edwards committed to the Crimson Tide on Saturday, giving Alabama its fifth 5-star commitment in the 2026 class, and the fourth 5-star to join the class in the last nine days alone. This run led by Kalen DeBoer stacks up with any during Nick Saban's legendary tenure in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama's class, which ranked in the 50s to begin the summer, has jumped all the way up to No. 3 in the 247 composite. The Tide sits behind just USC and Georgia, but Alabama's per-player average exceeds both the Trojans and Bulldogs. USC (31) and Georgia (27) just have far more total commitments than Alabama (19), but the plan was always for the Crimson Tide to take a class of around 20-25 players.
That will likely prevent DeBoer from reeling in the No. 1-ranked recruiting class, but the quality of this class is better than anywhere else. Alabama's five committed 5-stars is three more than any other school in the country.
10 of Alabama's 19 commitments are Top 100 players in the composite. The talent will remain fully stocked in Tuscaloosa.
Here's Alabama's 19 committed prospects so far:
- 5-star WR Cederian Morgan
- 5-star S Jireh Edwards
- 5-star CB Jorden Edmonds
- 5-star LB Xavier Griffin
- 5-star RB Ezavier Crowell
- 4-star CB Zyan Gibson
- 4-star DL Nolan Wilson
- 4-star TE Mack Sutter
- 4-star EDGE Jamarion Matthews
- 4-star OL Sam Utu
- 4-star QB Jett Thomalla
- 4-star IOL Chris Booker
- 4-star EDGE Kamhariyan Johnson
- 3-star DL JJ Finch
- 3-star RB Javari Barnett
- 3-star WR Brian Williams
- 3-star WR Owen Cabell
- 3-star S Rihyael Kelley
- 3-star LB Zay Hall
Alabama's remaining 2026 recruiting targets
It's no secret that Alabama's top remaining target is Mobile 5-star EDGE Anthony 'Tank' Jones. Jones recently announced he had trimmed his list to three schools: Alabama, Texas A&M, and Oregon. While he doesn't have a commitment date set yet, most insiders believe he will make an announcement in July or August, prior to the start of his senior season.
If Alabama can land Jones, it would not only be the sixth 5-star in this class, but it would mean the Crimson Tide would be in line to sign the four best players in the state in the 2026 cycle.
One area where Alabama would really like to add another player is on the offensive line. They currently hold commitments from two interior prospects: Sam Utu and Chris Booker, but they would like to add a tackle in this class. They've missed their top targets but will continue to recruit some committed elsewhere. 4-star Bryson Cooley recently announced to LSU, but Alabama's pursuit won't stop.
4-star Wilson Zierer is a top target for Alabama, too, but Auburn and Florida State aren't making things easy. Alabama could be in the market for a portal OT this offseason, regardless, with Kadyn Proctor widely expected to enter the NFL Draft following the season.
Alabama is also looking to land a second QB in this class to join 4-star Jett Thomalla. 4-star Tayden Faawa is the top target, and he appears to be trending toward the Crimson Tide.
Currently, Zay Hall is the only true off-ball LB committed in this class. Xavier Griffin figures to factor in at Wolf to start his career, but could ultimately play inside or out, just like Jihaad Campbell did. Alabama is still in contention for 4-stars Nick Abrams, Brayden Rouse, and Anthony Davis, but seem to be behind for all three at this point. We'll see if that changes in the coming months.
Alabama's DB class is likely complete, but they've been linked to 4-stars Lasiah Jackson and Georgia Tech commit Jaedyn Terry. With two corners and two safeties already committed, the Tide could be done.
DeBoer and GM Courtney Morgan would be more than satisfied if they can land Jones, Faawa, an OT, and a LB. That would give Alabama a 23-man class, which is about exactly what they were looking for in this cycle.
The work never stops on the recruiting trail, however, and there will be other programs pressuring the Tide's current commitments to flip in the fall before December's early signing period.