Alabama football adds 2026 in-state DL commitment before early signing day

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One day before the start of the early signing period, Alabama football added another commitment to its 2026 defensive line.

Malique Franklin, a three-star defensive end out of Daphne, announced Tuesday, Dec. 2 his commitment to Alabama football. Franklin chose the Crimson Tide holding offers from programs such as Georgia Tech and Maryland.

Franklin is the No. 461 player in the country per 247Sports’ composite rankings. He is the 44th-ranked EDGE rusher.

Franklin is one of six defensive linemen currently committed in Alabama’s 2026 recruiting class along with Georgia four star Jamarion Matthews, Mississippi four star Nolan Wilson, Georgia three star Corey Howard, Alabama four star Kamhariyan Johnson and Indiana three star JJ Finch.

With Franklin, Alabama has the No. 2 class in the country, per 247Sports composite rankings.

What Malique Franklin commitment means for Alabama football

Standing at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, Franklin is a true defensive end prospect, joining Howard as a lock for an outside rushing position.

Per 247Sports, Franklin had 79 tackles, 16 tackles-for-loss, nine sacks and 17 hurries as a Daphne High School senior.

Alabama is starting the rebuild of its defensive line, with players like LT Overton and Tim Keenan III finishing their final seasons of eligibility.

Alabama football 2026 commits

  • 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 
  • Zyan Gibson: 4-star cornerback, Gadsden, Alabama
  • 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: offensive lineman, College of San Mateo, Union City, California
  • Malique Franklin: 3-star defensive lineman, Daphne, Alabama

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. 

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: 2026 3-star DL Malique Franklin commits to Alabama football

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