Former Alabama elite recruit entering key make-or-break season after transferring to ACC rival

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ian Valentino | Last updated May 6, 2025 3:45 PM ET

One of Nick Saban's biggest recruiting wins before he retired from Alabama was landing five-star, No. 1-ranked pass-rusher Jeremiah Alexander in the 2022 class. Saban took Dabo Swinney head on at the time, but Alexander never panned out with the Crimson Tide.

After three seasons in Tuscaloosa, Alexander totaled only 11 tackles in sparse playing time. Clemson added Alexander from the transfer portal this past window, giving them an eventual win after Kalen DeBoer was unable to unlock Alexander's potential.

The 6-foot-2, 249-pounder played only 34 snaps in the 2024 regular season before joining former high school teammate Peter Woods at Clemson. The Alabaster, Alabama, native has been considered an inside linebacker since arriving in college.

Despite his impressive recruiting chops, Alexander's entering a make-or-break season. While he has two years of eligibility left, time and hope is running out.

The Tigers just got better. Welcome to the family, @j7alexander_ #ALLIN #Clemson pic.twitter.com/H3PJRZ39Zd
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) January 8, 2025

"First off, I just want to thank God, you know," he said in his announcement. "Going to get the opportunity to get recruited by Clemson for the first time was an unbelievable experience, and, you know, being able to go through it twice, it's funny, you know, God doesn't make mistakes and I'm glad he brought me back home."

Mark Pszonak of Mike Farrell Sports went so far as to say it's now or never for the former top recruit.

Considered one of the top twenty recruits in the Class of 2022, Alexander redshirted as a true freshman at Alabama before playing in 24 games over the next two seasons but only totaled eight tackles. He decided to look for greener pastures during the offseason and found a new home at Clemson. While he will likely be a backup this season with the Tigers, playing behind Wade Woodaz and Sammy Brown, there is potential for him to make an impact.