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4-Star CB Zyan Gibson Denounces Decommitment Rumors, Pledges to Stick with Crimson Tide

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4-Star CB Zyan Gibson Denounces Decommitment Rumors, Pledges to Stick with Crimson Tide


UPDATE — Zyan Gibson took to social media to dispute initial reports of his decommitment.

His statement read, “Earlier today, a post was shared about my decommitment. I want to clarify that this message was the result of a miscommunication. I’m standing by my pledge I made to Bama. I will be signing with Bama on Dec. 3rd. At this point I will not be doing any interviews. Roll Tide.”

After a strong weekend on the recruiting trail, consisting of two new commitments for the 2026 class, Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide staff received a bit of bad news late Sunday night.

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4-Star cornerback Zyan Gibson, an in-state prospect from Gadsden, Alabama, officially announced his decommitment from the Tide on November 30, according to Hayes Fawcett of Rivals. Gibson was Alabama’s earliest commit of the class, originally making his decision in December of 2024.

Prior to his original commitment, Gibson held offers from the likes of Tennessee, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and many more. He took visits to both Tennessee and Ole Miss in June of this year, but has since made four return trips to Tuscaloosa this fall.

The 4-Star prospect had been expected to be a member of Alabama’s early signing group, but will now likely be making his pledge elsewhere. While it is unclear yet where Gibson is expected to commit, Tennessee is his second most visited school behind Alabama, so early indicators point to the Volunteers as a potential landing spot.

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The Alabama native is a somewhat undersized prospect compared to what Alabama has recently targeted at the position as he stands just 6-foot, 174 lbs. Despite his smaller stature, Gibson is a speedy cornerback that is sticky in coverage.

He is ranked as the No. 5 player at his position in the nation, and the No. 4 player in the state, according to 247Sports’ composite ranking.

Although it is certainly a loss for the class, missing out on such a high caliber talent, Alabama still holds commitments from three other defensive backs, all of which are more in line with the body type that the current Crimson Tide staff has targeted since taking over.

  1. CB Zyan Gibson, 6-foot, 174. lbs. – Gadsden, Alabama (Committed 12/24/2024)
  2. CB Jorden Edmonds, 6-foot-2, 175 lbs. – Marietta, Georgia (Committed 03/26/2025)
  3. EDGE Jamarion Matthews, 6-foot-2, 240 lbs. – Gainesville, Georgia (Committed 02/21/2025)
  4. EDGE Kamhariyan Johnson, 6-foot-4, 260 lbs. – Muscle Shoals, Alabama (Committed 04/12/2025)
  5. OL Chris Booker, 6-foot-4, 285 lbs. – Atlanta, Georgia (Committed 02/20/2025)
  6. QB Jett Thomalla, 6-foot-3, 205 lbs. – Omaha, Nebraska (Committed 06/17/2025)
  7. DL JJ Finch, 6-foot-3, 260 lbs. – Indianapolis, Indiana (Committed 06/22/2025)
  8. RB Javari Barnett, 5-foot-11, 205 lbs. – Tampa Bay, Florida (Committed 06/23/2025)
  9. S Rihyael Kelley, 6-foot-3, 180 lbs. – Cincinnati, Ohio (Committed 06/23/2025)
  10. SN Eli Deutsch, 6-foot-2, 225 lbs. – Franklin, Wisconsin (Committed 06/24/2025)
  11. RB Ezavier Crowell, 5-foot-10, 210 lbs. – Jackson, Alabama (Committed 06/26/2025)
  12. TE Mack Sutter, 6-foot-5, 230 lbs. – Dunlap, Illinois (Committed 06/26/2025)
  13. LB Zay Hall, 6-foot-2, 222 lbs. – Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Committed 06/27/2025)
  14. LB Xavier Griffin, 6-foot-3, 200 lbs. – Gainesville, Georgia (Committed 06/29/2025)
  15. WR Owen Cabell, 6-foot-2, 201 lbs. – Nashville, Tennessee (Committed 06/30/2025)
  16. WR Brian Williams, Jr., 6-foot-4, 185 lbs. – Lake Mary, Florida (Committed 07/01/2025)
  17. WR Cederian Morgan, 6-foot-4, 220 lbs – Alexander City, Alabama (Committed 07/02/2025)
  18. DL Nolan Wilson, 6-foot-4, 250 lbs. – Picayune, Mississippi (Committed 07/04/2025)
  19. S Jireh Edwards, 6-foot-2, 210 lbs. – Baltimore, Maryland (Committed 07/05/2025)
  20. QB Tayden Kaawa, 6-foot-5, 235 lbs. – Orem, Utah (Committed 07/22/2025)
  21. OT Bear Fretwell, 6-foot-6, 295 lbs. – Brooklet, Georgia (Committed 07/25/25)
  22. OT Jared Doughty, 6-foot-5, 300 lbs. – Atlanta, Georgia (Committed 10/05/2025)
  23. EDGE Corey Howard, 6-foot-6, 245 lbs. – Valdosta, Georgia (Committed 10/19/2025)
  24. OL Tyrell Miller, 6-foot-5, 305 lbs. – College of San Mateo (Committed 11/29/2025)
  25. TE Jude Cascone, 6-foot-2, 225 lbs. – Marietta, Georgia (Committed 11/30/2025)





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What is Alabama’s best burger? Foodie picks this local favorite

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What is Alabama’s best burger? Foodie picks this local favorite


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Every year, Americans devour an estimated 50 million burgers, a sizzling testament to the nation’s enduring passion for beef, buns and bold toppings.

From roadside diners to upscale gastropubs, the hamburger has become a culinary symbol, with each state offering its own unique twist.

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The team at Foodie has taken on the delicious challenge of finding the very best burger in every state. By combing through hundreds of customer reviews, spotlighting local award winners and even digging into regional news coverage, they’ve crafted a list that celebrates standout spots from coast to coast. 

And when it comes to Alabama, one burger rises above the rest.

What is the best burger in Alabama?

In Alabama, Vicki’s Lunch Van in Montgomery claims the top spot.

What sets it apart? According to Foodie, the small, no-frills spot is “darn-near flawless,” known for freshly made cheeseburgers that taste exactly how a classic burger should.

If there’s one dish that defines the experience, it’s the Gunter Pile. This decadent creation layers a juicy burger patty with gravy and a mixture of fried and crispy onions, all atop a bed of fries. It’s messy, indulgent and distinctly Southern.

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How to grab your burger at Vicki’s Lunch Van

If you want to try Vicki’s Lunch Van, note that this Montgomery favorite typically operates during limited lunch hours. Vicki’s is located at 106 Coliseum Blvd. 

A lasting legacy

According to posts shared on Facebook, the restaurant’s owner, Vicki Lammon, passed away in February 2026.

The news brought an outpouring of support and memories from devoted customers. Many spoke not just of the quality of the food, but also of the welcoming atmosphere and personal touch that made the place special.

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter in Alabama for USA TODAY’s Deep South Connect Team. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@usatodayco.com.



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No. 16 Alabama Slugs Its Way To Series-Opening Win Over No. 11 Oklahoma

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No. 16 Alabama Slugs Its Way To Series-Opening Win Over No. 11 Oklahoma


The tone was set on the first pitch of the game.

Bryce Fowler sent a no-doubter over the left field wall, the first of four home runs that No. 16 Alabama would hit in the first two innings, as the Crimson Tide slugged its way to a 10-7 over No. 11 Oklahoma in the series opener.

Justin Lebron flew out immediately after Fowler’s leadoff blast, but Brady Neal then nearly went yard himself. The ball was about an inch from clearing the wall, and instead bounced off it for a triple. Neal would come in to score off a two-out John Lemm single, giving Alabama a 2-0 lead after the opening frame.

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The Sooners would get one back in the bottom of the inning, but Alabama flipped the game upside down in the second. Justin Osterhouse and Brennan Holt were plunked, bringing Fowler back up with two on and one out. Fowler then demolished a ball to right field for the first multi-home run game of his career.

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“He’s just a tough competitor, man. That’s Bryce Fowler in a nutshell,” head coach Rob Vaughn said. “The bigger the moment, the better he is. Not only the swings last weekend, but the defense in center last weekend, and then the unbelievable at-bats really set the tone today.”

Justin Lebron then drew a five-pitch walk and, per usual, stole second. He came about as close as he has all season to getting thrown out, but slid in safely for his 24th stolen base of the season, most in the SEC by a significant margin. The shortstop then came home on a single from Neal, which marked the end of starter LJ Mercurius’ evening.

Mercurius’ season ERA rose from 3.53 to 5.11 as Alabama scored seven off him. He was replaced by his brother, Xander, who did not fare much better in that second, as Jason Torres took his first pitch of the day deep, extending Alabama’s lead to seven runs.

After Lemm recorded another hit, Osterhouse added the exclamation point with the third home run of the inning. As Oklahoma finally left the field after a Luke Vaughn groundout, Alabama held a 10-1 lead.

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Tyler Fay settled in on the mound for Alabama, putting together 1-2-3 frames in the second, third and fourth innings. On the flip side, Xander Mercurius put together a very impressive relief appearance, giving up just one more hit and keeping Alabama off the board for the rest of his night as the freshman worked into the eighth.

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The Sooners added three runs in the fifth off a pair of home runs, but that was all the offense to speak of. Fay ended up going 6.0 innings, allowing seven hits and four runs in a performance that, while obviously not at the level of his last two dominant outings, was more than enough given the run support.

Oklahoma put three more on the board in the ninth, forcing reliever Sam Mitchell out of the game after a leadoff home run and then a two-out, two-RBI triple that cut the deficit to three. Oklahoma had the tying run on deck, but Matthew Heiberger came in and recorded a strikeout to end the game and give Alabama the opener.

Alabama will play for the series win earlier than expected, as Saturday’s game was moved up from 6:30 to 1 p.m. CT due to expected inclement weather. The contest will air on SEC Network+.

Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Twitter/X, FacebookYouTubeInstagramThreads and Blue Sky for the latest news.

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Explosive Kentucky wide receiver earns Alabama offer, locks in official visit

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Explosive Kentucky wide receiver earns Alabama offer, locks in official visit




Cam Wade earned an Alabama football offer earlier this week and locked in a return visit date for an official.

Wade is a 2027 recruit, and he attends Paducah Tilghman High School in Paducah, Kentucky. Alabama is the latest program to offer the junior, but he holds previous offers from Florida, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Maryland and others.

The Kentucky product said earning an Alabama offer means a lot to him.

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“As a kid growing up watching college football, you always dreamed about Alabama,” Wade said. “Just a wonderful experience, and I’m grateful.”

Wade was on campus for a visit when he earned his offer from the Tide, and the visit was a success.

“You can feel the intensity as soon as you walk in the door,” Wade told Touchdown Alabama. “I loved that, also how close the coaching staff was with each other was also great.”

Alabama will get Wade on campus on the weekend of May 29-31 for his official visit.

Wade is an explosive wide receiver with proven speed. He holds a PR of 10.6 in the 100-meter dash and a 21.6 in the 200-meter dash. This speed translates over to the field, and it makes him dangerous in different aspects of the game.

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Watch Cam Wade’s Highlights Below:







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