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Alabama Receives Massive Recruiting News on Wednesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated May 28, 2025 8:08 PM ET

The Alabama Crimson Tide can solidify their 2026 recruiting class as one of the best in the country with the addition of a top prospect.

That prospect is safety Jireh Edwards, who named Alabama as a finalist via On3's Hayes Fawcett. Edwards had six finalists, with the others being the Oregon Ducks, Auburn Tigers, Texas A&M Aggies, Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs.

His commitment date has been set for July 5.

Alabama's first season under head coach Kalen DeBoer ended at 9-4. It was the first time since the 1993 season under Gene Stallings that the Crimson Tide had finished with nine wins.

Edwards is a five-star prospect, the No. 21 overall recruit and No. 2 safety in the On3 Industry Rankings.

Alabama has an 8.7% chance to secure Edwards' commitment via the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. The team with the best chance is Auburn (20.7%), followed by Oregon (18.1%), the Ohio State Buckeyes (10.4%), Maryland Terrapins (6.6%) and Texas A&M (6.6%).

Alabama's 2026 class features five-star corner Jorden Edmonds, four-star corner Zyan Gibson, four-star edge rusher Jamarion Matthews, four-star inside offensive lineman Chris Booker and four-star defensive lineman Kamhariyan Johnson.

The Crimson Tide is also pursuing defensive linemen, Titan Davis and Nolan Wilson.

With Jalen Milroe gone to the NFL, Alabama will have a new face under center in 2025. The battle is between former five-star prospects Ty Simpson and Keelon Russell, as well as Washington Huskies transfer Austin Mack.

The second year of the DeBoer era in Tuscaloosa opens with the Florida State Seminoles on August 30.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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