Georgia looking to fend off Alabama in race for 4-star EDGE, former Tide commit Zion Grady

Troy (Ala.) Enterprise four-star EDGE Zion Grady was one of the many prospects to back off a commitment to Alabama in January following the shock retirement of head coach Nick Saban.

Grady was pledged to the Crimson Tide for just a couple of months, but opted to re-open things with plenty of suitors at the ready. Georgia was a major contender for the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder back in the fall — and it certainly is now ahead of an important spring.

After making multiple trips to Athens last year, Grady made his way back for a Junior Day trip last month just before the dead period. He then returned this month and has also locked in a June official visit with the Bulldogs.

“I know they like Zion Grady a lot, evidenced by the fact that they tried to get him on campus as early in this spring window for them, because they were on spring break last week. I do think there’s a serious relationship here,” Georgia recruiting insider Jake Rowe said on ‘The Inside Scoop’.

“I like my connection with Coach Chidera Uzo-Diribe and the honesty of head coach Kirby Smart,” Grady told On3 last month. “I have been there a lot and it is a great atmosphere too. There is great energy at Georgia and the people are just good there. Then they develop players at my position, so that is something I like too.”

Bulldogs set to battle Alabama once again for Grady’s pledge

While Georgia is to be looked at as a serious contender for Grady, Alabama is also right back in the mix. Grady made a recent trip back to Tuscaloosa to see Kalen DeBoer and the new Tide staff. He also has a relationship with Bama DL coach Freddie Roach — one of the assistants that remains in T-Town following the departure of Saban.

“I think Alabama’s a serious threat as well,” Rowe said. “I’m interested to see how this one goes, because Grady has been on Georgia’s radar for a long time. If you really want to understand what Chidera Uzo-Diribe thinks of Zion Grady, last year when Georgia had the scavenger hunt, (Grady) was one of a handful on non-2024 guys that was invited and was in town for that.”

“Listen, I think Georgia’s going to be in this one until the very end, but you can’t count out Alabama. He felt good enough about them to commit one time, not gonna surprise me if he does that again, but I do think Georgia’s definitely in it.”

Grady is the No. 64 overall prospect and No. 8 EDGE in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 5 player in Alabama.