Top 2026 EDGE Zion Elee schedules visit to Alabama

Joppa (Md.) Joppatowne elite four-star EDGE Zion Elee will take an unofficial visit to Alabama on June 22, he announced Saturday on social media.

Elee is the nation’s No. 17 overall prospect, No. 3 edge rusher and No. recruit from Maryland in the 2026 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

On3 is higher on Elee than the other major recruiting services. He ranks No. 8 nationally and is the top EDGE in the nation, per the 2025 On300.

On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power had this to say about the standout defensive lineman in March.

“Zion Elee showed the most twitch among the top pass rushers. Twitchiest pass rusher,” Power wrote. “At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds with elite arm length, Elee flies off the ball and looks to be a big-time speed mismatch for opposing offensive tackles. He’s also a hellacious pursuit defender, running down plays from sideline to sideline. The Joppatowne (Md.) High standout tallied 13 sacks and 24 tackles for loss as a sophomore.”

More on Alabama’s 2026 class

Alabama picked up two 2026 commitments on back-to-back days last week — the two lone pledges in the class early on. First was Jackson (Ala.) four-star cornerback Jamarrion Gordon. Gordon, a top-300 recruit, chose the Crimson Tide over LSU and Georgia.

“It came down to how they recruited me, Alabama being Alabama and how close it is to home,” Gordon said. “I am used to winning and I want to win and have success. At Alabama I believe I can do those things.”

Gordon was followed up the next day by Suwanee (Ga.) Peachtree Ridge four-star cornerback Dorian Barney, the No. 61 prospect in the On300.

“I know he’s going to continue that legacy that Nick Saban started,” Barney said of Kalen DeBoer. “It’s going to continue and when I get there, it’s going to be even better.”