Alabama
Alabama football 2026 recruiting class outlook at early signing day
Alabama football 2026 recruiting class overview as early signing day nears
The Tuscaloosa News’ Colin Gay gives his highlights of Alabama football’s 2026 recruiting class as the start of the early signing period nears.
As Alabama football prepares for an SEC championship, the Crimson Tide is also on the cusp of securing the next wave of its future.
The start of the early signing period in college football kicks off Wednesday, Dec. 3, and players like five-star running back Ezavier Crowell, five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin and four-star wide receiver Cederian Morgan are set to officially sign with the Crimson Tide.
Here’s a look at where Alabama’s 2026 recruiting class stands as the early signing period nears.
Alabama football recruiting needs 2026
Alabama has secured much of its 2026 recruiting class, even if the Crimson Tide has had a few recent fireworks in the 2026 class.
The Crimson Tide lost a commitment from four-star offensive lineman Sam Utu less than two weeks before signing day. Alabama secured a commitment from College of San Mateo offensive tackle Tyrell Miller to join Chris Booker, Bear Fretwell and Jared Doughty up front. And on Sunday, Nov. 30, Zyan Gibson wavered in his commitment to the Crimson Tide before releasing a statement saying he was standing firm, citing “miscommunication” as his reason for reportedly leaving the class.
But the headline names of the 2026 class are set in stone, players like Griffin, Crowell, Morgan, five-star safety Jireh Edwards and five-star cornerback Jorden Edmonds, who are locked into what Alabama is building in 2026.
Alabama football recruiting rankings
As the start of the early signing period nears, Alabama has the third-ranked class per 247Sports’ composite rankings behind No. 1 USC and No. 2 Georgia.
Alabama is one of three classes that have secured four five-star players in the 2026 class along with Oregon and Notre Dame. The average rating for each player in Alabama’s 2026 class is the third-highest in college football behind Oregon and LSU.
Alabama football 2026 recruiting class
- Xavier Griffin: 5-star linebacker, Gainesville, Georgia
- Jorden Edmonds: 5-star cornerback, Marietta, Georgia
- Ezavier Crowell: 5-star running back, Jackson, Alabama
- Jireh Edwards: 5-star safety, Upper Marlboro, Maryland
- Cederian Morgan: 4-star wide receiver, Alexander City, Alabama
- Jett Thomalla: 4-star quarterback, Omaha, Nebraska
- Mack Sutter: 4-star tight end, Dunlap, Illinois
- Jamarion Matthews: 4-star defensive lineman, Gainesville, Georgia
- Nolan Wilson: 4-star defensive lineman, Picayune, Mississippi
- Chris Booker: 4-star offensive lineman, Atlanta, Georgia
- Jared Doughty: 4-star offensive lineman, Atlanta, Georgia
- Corey Howard: 3-star defensive lineman, Valdosta, Georgia
- Rihyael Kelley: 3-star safety, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Kamhariyan Johnson: 4-star defensive lineman, Muscle Shoals, Alabama
- Javari Barnett: 3-star running back, Tampa, Florida
- Owen Cabell: 3-star wide receiver, Nashville, Tennessee
- Bear Fretwell: 3-star offensive lineman, Brooklet, Georgia
- JJ Finch: 3-star defensive lineman, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Brian Williams Jr.: 3-star wide receiver, Orlando, Florida
- Tayden Kaawa: 3-star quarterback, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Zay Hall: 3-star linebacker, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- Tyrell Miller; College of San Mateo, Union City, California
When is early signing day?
The start of the early signing period is Wednesday, Dec. 3 and lasts through Friday, Dec. 5
The regular signing period begins Feb. 4, 2026.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Alabama
YMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort
SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WALA) – The YMCA of South Alabama held a Healthy Kids Day at Spanish Fort Town Center Park.
Saturday’s event featured games and demonstrations, along with interactive activities featuring police and fire vehicles.
“I think just seeing so many organizations come together that serve kids, and just seeing kids have fun,” said Gwen Summer, CEO of the YMCA of South Alabama.
Marissa Rennaker, director of development for the YMCA of South Alabama, said the event exposed children to new activities.
“I think it’s been seeing all the kids laugh and try different things that they probably haven’t tried before,” Rennaker said. “There was a big group doing pickleball and yoga. We had ballet earlier, so just getting them out and exposed to things, I think it’s been great.”
The event was designed to kick off a healthy, active summer.
The YMCA of South Alabama is located at 27080 Pollard Road in Daphne.
Copyright 2026 WALA. All rights reserved.
Alabama
Former Alabama superstar signs massive extension with NFL team
Former Alabama star Will Anderson Jr. has reportedly signed a three-year, $150 million extension with the Houston Texans, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Anderson instantly solidified himself as one of the top defensive players in football throughout his rookie campaign in 2023. The star defensive end was named as the Rookie of the Year in 2023, as Anderson’s extension will officially keep him in Houston long-term, as well as make him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Anderson recorded an impressive 12 sacks on the Texans’ defensive line in 2025, as the former Alabama star has made history following his head turning extension with Houston.
Anderson was nothing short of a superstar throughout his time at Alabama. Houston drafted the talented lineman with the third overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft, as Anderson was widely regarded as one of the top overall selections from his class.
The former Crimson Tide superstar has officially inked a massive extension with the Texans, as Anderson will undoubtedly continue playing a critical role on Houston’s defensive line over the coming seasons.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
Alabama
Alabama Baseball Strikes Out 17 Times in Noncompetitive Loss to Texas
Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn said that No. 4 Texas would be “hungry” against the No. 11Crimson Tide coming off its first series loss of the season to Texas A&M.
The Longhorns certainly were, as they pounced all over Vaughn’s team, striking out 17 Alabama batters en route to a 10-2 win.
“The story of the game was they just kind of kicked our tail in every phase tonight,” Vaughn said.
Alabama starter Tyler Fay had been elite over his past four starts, dating back to his complete-game no-hitter against Florida, allowing just six earned runs over the 26.0 innings pitched in those games. That changed instantly on Friday evening, as leadoff batter Aiden Robbins opened the game with a double and catcher Carson Tinney took him deep for a two-run blast moments later.
Texas added a third run in the first off an Ethan Mendoza RBI double, setting the tone for a dominant day. Alabama did not record a hit until the fourth inning as Longhorn ace Dylan Volantis tore through batters, striking out 12 over six innings.
Fay ended up going 5.1 innings, just the second time he did not make it through the sixth. The other, against Auburn, was only due to Vaughn wanting to keep his pitch count down in the wake of the no-hitter. He allowed season-highs of seven earned runs and 12 hits in the loss.
The Longhorns added a run each in the third and the fifth, before Alabama put the slightest amount of pressure on Texas in the top of the sixth. Bryce Fowler and Justin Lebron scored on the basepaths off an error and a wild pitch, respectively, to cut the Texas lead to three runs.
“You’ve got to find ways to score,” Vaughn said. “Those two guys just created two runs for us, and did a great job creating those runs and we crawl back in at 5-2, and it’s like, ‘Let’s go back to work…’ So thought we had that chance in those middle innings.”
The Longhorns effectively put the game to bed in the next frame, responding with three runs as Fay was relieved by Connor Lehman. Texas would add two more runs on the day, with the only silver lining coming in the fact that Alabama avoided a run-rule.
The Crimson Tide has now lost four straight SEC games after winning three consecutive series. Zane Adams takes the mound with the series on the line on Saturday, in a game that has been moved up to 12 p.m. CT due to anticipated rain in Austin.
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Threads, and Blue Sky for the latest news.
Follow
-
Atlanta, GA4 minutes agoNew York hosts Atlanta with 1-0 series lead
-
Minneapolis, MN10 minutes agoFatal Minneapolis crash sentencing: Teniki Steward sentenced to more than 12 years
-
Indianapolis, IN16 minutes agoPirates farm report for April 18, 2026: Rafael Flores Jr. hits 1st homer in Indianapolis win
-
Pittsburg, PA22 minutes agoMcCorkle: Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 Mock Draft (Final Version)
-
Augusta, GA28 minutes agoAugusta nonprofit hosts family financial literacy day
-
Washington, D.C34 minutes agoStorm Team4 Forecast: A chilly, gusty Sunday before a cool start to the week
-
Cleveland, OH40 minutes agoWinners and Losers From Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Playoffs Game 1
-
Austin, TX46 minutes agoStorms dump small hail throughout Austin area Saturday