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Alabama

2026 IOL Zykie Helton decommits from Alabama

hunterby: Hunter Shelton03/17/24HunterShelton_
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Photo courtesy of Zykie Helton.

Carrollton (Ga.) interior offensive lineman Zykie Helton has decommitted from Alabama, he told On3’s Hayes Fawcett on Saturday evening.

Helton was pledged to the Crimson Tide since July. He was the lone commit for Bama in the 2026 cycle.

Lats month, Helton told BamaOnLine that Alabama was him dream school — and despite the retirement of Nick Saban and hiring of new head coach Kalen DeBoer, he was not among the first wave of recruits to immediately back off his pledge at the beginning of 2024.

“In my mind, I was like, ‘Let’s work,’” Helton said to BOL of DeBoer’s hiring. “I feel like he’s the next to do it. I know he lost the national championship, but I feel like he can go to Bama and do some special things.”

Helton holds offers from Georgia, Auburn, Texas A&M, Penn State and others. He checks in at 6-foot-2.5 and 240 pounds.

More on Alabama recruiting

Looking at the 2025 cycle, the Tide have picked up some momentum on the recruiting trail, as they now own the No. 7 class in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Five prospects are pledged to DeBoer and Co.

Bama has added three commitments this month. Selma (Ala.) Southside four-star athlete and top-75 recruit Derick Smith is the latest to join, as he pledged on Monday afternoon. He follows Denton (Md.) North Caroline four-star ATH Zymear Smith and Saraland (Ala.) four-star defensive lineman Antonio Coleman — who flipped back to the Tide from Auburn.

“Alabama is Alabama, and it has that standard,” Smith told On3 upon his pledge. “They will always go by that standard, no matter what. The program is going to stay on top under coach DeBoer. He knows how to win, he has a good staff and the players are going to play hard for him.” 

“I was one of (DeBoer’s) top guys. As soon as he got the job, he came to the school to see me. He made a big impression on me. We talked about food, our hobbies and he wasn’t all about football. He was cool, easy to talk to and I liked him right away. We got to know each other and we are building a good relationship.”

Montgomery (Ala.) Carver four-star running back Anthony Rogers also headlines as a top-100 recruit. He remained committed to Bama following the retirement of Saban and is currently the No. 5 burner in the On3 Industry Ranking.