LB Luke Metz commits to Alabama: ‘It’s always been a dream’
Some of the top programs in college football offered Dacula (Ga.) Mill Creek three-star linebacker Luke Metz in 2024. One of them was Alabama, who extended an offer to the 6-foot-3, 210-pound recruit on March 4.
The Crimson Tide made Metz feel like a priority and hosted him on campus on March 21. Before leaving Tuscaloosa, Metz committed to Alabama and publicly announced his decision on Sunday.
“I’ve always been an Alabama fan,” Metz told On3. “It’s just different to play for Alabama. It’s always been a dream.”
Culture, opportunities to play early and relationships are the three most important things to Metz in a program. The Crimson Tide checked each of those boxes.
Two of the Alabama coaches that Metz is closest with are head coach Kalen DeBoer and defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Kane Wommack. These connections helped the No. 51 player in Georgia choose the Crimson Tide over Ole Miss.
“Playing at an elite level is why I like the SEC,” said Metz, the No. 425 overall prospect and No. 47 linebacker in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking. “I know if I play a lot in the SEC and play early in the SEC, I’m going to have some great opportunities to further my career in the NFL and get developed.”
Metz believes he can compete early at Alabama for a starting spot
As soon as Metz arrived at Alabama for the first time, he “kind of knew” that he wanted to pledge to the Crimson Tide. His time in Tuscaloosa included an “awesome” 45-minute conversation with DeBoer, talking with Wommack and sitting in position and team meetings.
Metz also met with Alabama’s strength and conditioning coaches, as well as the program’s nutrition staff. Additionally, the three-star had positive discussions with players and recruits, which he called “pretty special.”
“They want to keep me versatile,” Metz said. “They don’t want to keep me in a mold. The coaches want to let me use my athleticism, my size and my speed early.”
The three-star believes there is a good opportunity to play early for the Crimson Tide because DeBoer and his staff are recruiting “a lot of linebackers.” He is looking forward to quickly competing for a spot to start for the defending SEC champions.
“They knew I was going to commit on Sunday,” Metz said. “They knew they were in my top two and I think they were expecting it a little bit. After practice, one of the coaches walked over to me, dapped me up and was asking what my plan was. I was like, ‘I’m ready to shut it down.’ He was like, ‘Wait, what? You want to make it official?’ I was like, ‘Yes, sir.’ He got excited and that was a cool moment.”
Metz has close connections with multiple coaches at Alabama
DeBoer became Alabama’s head coach this offseason after leading Washington to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Metz is confident that he will help the Crimson Tide continue to be one of the top programs in college football.
“They’ve got a lot of great defensive coaches out there and it’s not just an offensive-minded team,” Metz said. “Their defense is great. From watching practice, I could see that they have some NFL guys, especially in the linebacker room. Coach DeBoer is a really great guy and a great coach.”
“He has a holistic approach to things,” he added about DeBoer. “It’s not all about football. He knows the foundation is set for Alabama, but you can’t just sit there, wear the Alabama logo and recruit the top guys. They recruit really hard and that’s really what keeps the top programs as the top programs. It’s winning and recruiting really hard.”
Wommack has also made a positive impression on Metz. He joined Alabama after previously serving as the head coach at South Alabama.
“I like how he coaches the guys hard,” Metz said. “He’s intense. He says, ‘You can’t just be great at Alabama. You have to be the greatest,’ because everybody is great in the SEC. He’s a great coach and he coaches with high intensity.
“He’ll coach you hard, but he’s also going to be your best friend. He won’t humiliate you. He’s there to coach you and make you better. He said that it’s not about who he’s coaching now. It’s about who the player’s going to be in three years.”