Alabama received a bit of good news on the recruiting trail this week as one of its targets in the 2026 recruiting class officially released his top schools, including the Crimson Tide.
3-Star wide receiver Christian Ward from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida took to social media on Friday, September 19 to announce his four finalists: Alabama, Arizona State, Colorado and Michigan.
Top 4, I will be announcing my commitment 9/24 live @On3sports @SWiltfong_ @Rivals @IMGAFootball @CoachAlecCobb @QuinnShanbour @KoreenBurch @ChadSimmons_ @JeremyO_Johnson @adamgorney @JohnGarcia_Jr @BenjaminRivals @WRHitList @BALLERSCHOICE1 @RecruitGeorgia @TheUCReport pic.twitter.com/vJeyiRMAIo
— Christian Ward|c/o 2026 WR/DB (@ward_chris1) September 19, 2025
He also shared that he will make his commitment on Wednesday, September 24 during a livestream, hosted by On3. Ward is the older brother of Alexander Ward, a current Crimson Tide commit in the 2027 recruiting class.
A 6-foot-3, 185 lb. wideout, Ward possesses impressive physical traits to go along with solid production throughout his high school career thus far. In his first three years at Walton High School in Marietta, Georgia before transferring to IMG, the lengthy target hauled in 60 receptions for over 1,100 yards with 15 touchdowns.
His most impressive season came in 2024 when Ward caught 46 passes for 768 yards and ten scores. He averaged over 15 yards per reception, and helped his team to a 7-4 record and a top-50 ranking in the state of Georgia, according to MaxPreps.
As of now, Ward has taken trips to Michigan (May 30) and Colorado (September 5), but has yet to take a visit to Tuscaloosa, or his other finalist, Arizona State.
He is ranked as the No. 79 wideout in the class and the No. 69 player in the state of Florida, according to 247Sports' composite ranking.
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