Analyzing Alabama's Several Five-Star Recruits from Signing Day

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The University of Alabama had one of the more successful signing days in college football, receiving a ranking with the fourth best recruiting class so far.

It was a busy day for the Crimson Tide, and program General Manager made it clear with a post on X:

People only buy from people they like.

And programs like Alabama only sell to the best of the best, and there’s no shortage of ‘the best’ that will be walking through the doors of Mal Moore Facility.

Twenty recruits, five five-stars.

Surely Alabama isn’t done taking in recruits, as it’s still waiting on a few others, including current four-star wide receiver and Michigan State commit Samson Gash waiting until February to make his decision.

Head coach Kalen DeBoer was really happy with the class and can only see this class helping out in a massive way in the future.

“These guys stuck to their commitment. Can't wait to have them here — most of them on campus here really soon, going to work. You can see right now with what our '25 class did and how impactful they are to our season we have right now, I know they'll be a lot of impactful players that will help us next year very quickly. I'm very confident in that."

Let’s take a deep dive into who these five-star recruits are.

Jireh Edwards, Safety

It truly seemed like the five-star Edwards was locked in on the Tide since the day he committed, and he made sure of it – being the first recruit to sign on the dotted line.

Many had him pegged for Oregon beforehand, and then after he committed, received plenty of interest from Georgia and Texas A&M.

But for Edwards, it just felt like Tuscaloosa was home for him.

“Just the culture,” Edwards said. “The culture really stood out for me. Them producing the guys they produced already and seeing them do so well in the league… The way they brought my family in with open arms. They love my family. I feel that’s perfect. They did stuff other schools didn’t do. They welcomed me with warm hugs and all that other stuff.”

Edwards is the third-ranked safety in the country and third-overall ranked player in the state of Maryland. 

Xavier Griffin, Linebacker

Originally, Griffin had been committed to USC. But last summer, it felt like every top recruit USC had brought on, was decommitting.

Griffin is the top rated player in the state of Georgia, though he grew up in Alabama, and amongst linebackers, and is also the 13th-ranked prospect in the country.

Growing up a fan of the Crimson Tide, meant that he had his eyes set on Tuscaloosa. 

“Growing up, I always wanted to play there,” Griffin told Rivals. “I have a picture of me in the Alabama uniform when I was little. Growing up in the state, knowing the tradition, the guys that they put in the league and the championships they’ve won, there’s no way you wouldn’t want to be a part of that.”

This past season, the blue-chipper visited campus several times and doubled down on his commitment to the program.

Cederian Morgan, Wide Receiver

In what could be the most significant recruit in this class, Morgan brings something to Alabama’s roster next season that could be deadly.

With Germie Bernard leaving for the NFL after this season, that will force Ryan Williams and Isaiah Horton to be the top two receivers.

But as we saw with Lotzeir Brooks this season, head coach Kalen DeBoer isn’t afraid to play his freshmen if they’re performing at a high level.

Morgan possesses some highly intriguing attributes, standing 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, running a 4.5 40-yard dash, who can run crisp routes and has exceptional hands.

What’s not to like?

He was the 44th-ranked player in the country, fifth of all wide receivers, and third in the state of Alabama.

Jorden Edmonds, Cornerback

Similar to Edwards, the Marietta, GA native was the kind of player that never intended on walking away from his commitment to the program.

It probably makes sense that they’ll both be roommates when they enroll at the university right?

After offers from Georgia and Tennessee, Edmonds was one of the first recruits of the 2026 class, and made it clear that all he wants to do is just to ball out.

“I am not worried about too much else. Just getting out there and being able to play. Just work out as much as possible and improve as much as I can. Then trying to get on the field as much as possible, really. Be the best contributor as I can and play my role as a freshman.”

Edmonds was ranked the third-best overall player in the state of Georgia and the number one corner. On top of that, he was the 17th-best player in the country.

Ezavier Crowell, Running Back

Crowell’s presence will address a major need for Alabama coming into the 2026 season.

The run game felt stagnant, and no back ever truly ran away with the job. So why can’t Crowell do it?

Originally a 2027 recruit, Crowell re-classified for 2026 and it’s clear that he was a player ahead of his age group. While playing for Jackson this past season, he ran for 2,324 yards, with 30 touchdowns.

He ran for over 100 yards in every game except one.

And if you ask DeBoer, he’ll tell you that he expects Crowell to help out the team from day one.

"It's really kind of amazing when you think that he should have another year, and then we're even thinking of him being a guy that can kind of help us, just like a lot of these guys, as freshmen just like the 2025 class is helping us right now.”

Can Crowell immediately become an integral part to Alabama's run game next season?

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