Alabama nearing top-five class in On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings

Kalen DeBoer and the new staff at Alabama continue to show off their recruiting chops. The Crimson Tide landed another major commitment on Saturday, as Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei four-star cornerback Chuck McDonald announced his pledge.

The No. 82 overall prospect and No. 9 corner in the On3 Industry Ranking, McDonald becomes the fourth top-100 recruit to join Bama’s 2025 class — which now ranks No. 6 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

“When I went to Alabama, it just felt right,” McDonald told On3 upon his commitment. “The culture, the environment, it just all felt right. After the visit, after talking to my dad, it just hit me. Everything felt right. It felt I belonged at Alabama and it was the best place for me.”

The Tide’s class now features 12 total commitments — 10 of whom are four-stars.

“Coach DeBoer did what he did at Washington and he is just a winner. He will do good with all the resources at Alabama,” McDonald said. “To me, Coach DeBoer is going to win at every level. He is going to be great at Alabama and he will do great things there.”

Bama continues to stack top defensive prospects

McDonald becomes the first listed corner in the 2025 class for DeBoer and Bama. He’s the latest impressive defensive prospect to join the fold in T-Town, too.

Eastman (Ga.) Dodge County four-star athlete Darrell Johnson and Selma (Ala.) Southside four-star athlete Derick Smith are both top-50 overall recruits who will likely line up on the defensive side of the ball when they arrive in Tuscaloosa.

Saraland (Ala.) four-star defensive lineman Antonio Coleman flipped to the Tide from Auburn in March. Rome (Ga.) four-star linebacker Jaedon Harmon is a top-200 recruit and one of four LBs in the class, alongside Los Angeles Mater Dei four-star Abduall Sanders, Dacula (Ga.) Mill Creek four-star Luke Metz and Brewton (Ala.) Tr. Miller three-star Myles Johnson.

Alabama landed a centerpiece offensive addition earlier this month, as Duncanville (Texas) four-star quarterback Keelon Russell flipped from SMU. He’s the No. 57 overall prospect and No. 8 QB in the 2025 cycle.

Montgomery (Ala.) Carver four-star running back Anthony Rogers is the No. 6 RB in the nation and has been committed since last June. Denton (Md.) North Caroline four-star ATH Zymear Smith and Millville (N.J.) three-star wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks round out the class.