Why 5-Star safety could be perfect for Tide at Husky position

Alabama football is in hot pursuit of a 2026 five-star defensive back, Jireh Edwards, who has the potential to be a plug-and-play guy at the next level.

Edwards has the Crimson Tide in his top six along with Auburn, Georgia, Florida, Oregon and Texas A&M.

The Tide hosted him for an official visit over the weekend.

Alabama would love to have the talented defensive back in Tuscaloosa for the 2026 football season, and it is obvious why. Edwards is a big safety at 6-foot3 and 210 pounds, who can run a 4.4 forty-yard dash. His measurements are head-turning, but his film is enough to make a college football coaches drool over his potential.

For the Crimson Tide, they have to be excited about how Edwards could fit into their defensive system, particularly at the Husky role in their secondary. DeVonta Smith occupied this role in 2024 before transferring to Notre Dame.

Smith made an impact by being a physical player as a smaller defensive back by being able to take on blocks and get to ball carriers close to the line of scrimmage and cover fast wide receivers in the slot. He also made plays against the run while crashing down in run support.