Nov 16, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer gestures during a timeout in the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Credit: Will McLelland-Imagn Images

Alabama Commit Makes Major Recruiting Announcement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated Jun 28, 2025 3:33 PM ET

The Alabama Crimson Tide have the No. 9 overall recruiting class for 2026 via On3 Sports.

On Saturday, one of the commits for their class announced his plans to shut down his recruitment. Four-star edge rusher Jamarion Matthews is sticking with Alabama.

This comes after a slew of official visits with programs like the Florida State Seminoles (June 13), Alabama (June 6) and the Auburn Tigers (May 30).

Matthews has been committed to the Crimson Tide since February and is a native of Gainesville, Georgia. He is listed at 6-foot-2.5, 250 pounds.

He is the lone edge rusher commit in Alabama's 2026 class.

"First things first I wanna give thanks to the Man Above for the opportunities and the doors he has opened and closed for me, I also want to thank my beautiful mother, being a single parent raising two young men ain’t easy and I’m very thankful to have her as a mother," Matthews said. "Well, that being said I’ve decided to shut my recruitment down and stay home!!"

Matthews remains in an Alabama recruiting class highlighted by five-star corner Jorden Edmonds, five-star running back Ezavier Crowell and four-star corner Zyan Gibson.

Matthews has a connection to another recruit from the 2026 class who is considering Alabama. He is high school teammates with five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin, who just a received a prediction to land with the Crimson Tide.

Alabama is waiting on the commitment announcement from four-star offensive tackle Deacon Schmitt. Schmitt's announcement is scheduled for Saturday and is between the Crimson Tide, the Colorado Buffaloes and Oklahoma Sooners.

Alabama's 2025 season opener is against Florida State on August 30, with a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff via ABC.

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

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