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4-star safety Jireh Edwards visits Alabama

hunterby: Hunter Shelton03/21/25HunterShelton_
Jireh Edwards 2 copy 1.jpg
(Photo by Chad Simmons/On3)

Alabama did not make the latest cut for Upper Marlboro (Md.) St. Frances Academy four-star safety Jireh Edwards back in January, but he’s still giving the Crimson Tide a look.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound defensive back began a round of spring visits this week with a trip to Tuscaloosa to check out Kalen DeBoer’s program for the first time on Thursday as spring practice gets underway. The Tide are looking to up their standing with one of the nation’s top prospects.

While he’s just getting down to T-Town, Edwards has held consistent communication with the Alabama staff throughout his recruitment and has had good things to say about the SEC program. Co-defensive coordinators Colin Hitschler and Maurice Linguist are pushing for the Free State blue-chipper.

“I like the history that Alabama has and the players because the players that go to Alabama go to the league,” Edwards told On3’s Chad Simmons in December.

Edwards has since tabbed Oregon, Georgia, Auburn, Texas A&M and Maryland as his top five schools, though. He’s locked in official visits to each program and told On3’s Chad Simmons last month that “It will be one of those five schools” when he commits.

Schools are getting Edwards in for visits this spring, beginning with the Tide. Up next are visits to Texas A&M and LSU later this month, before Auburn and Oregon get him back on campus in April. A trip to Georgia is also in the cards at some point, too.

When speaking with On3’s Steve Wiltfong last month, Edwards noted that NIL will play a part in his eventual commitment:

“NIL plays a big role in my decision. Coming from a family that doesn’t have a lot, that doesn’t have the stuff that other people have, NIL plays a big factor. My goal in life is to retire the fam, so if I can do that in college, I will,” he said.

Edwards is the No. 49 overall prospect and No. 4 safety in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 3 player in Maryland.

More on Alabama Recruiting

After signing the No. 3 class in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings last cycle, DeBoer and his staff are looking to keep their foot on the gas in the class of 2026. It’s been a slower start thus far, though, as the Tide’s 2026 class features just three commits to date.

Gadsden (Ala.) City four-star cornerback Zyan Gibson pledged on Christmas Eve and will remain headlining member of the pledge list, currently checking in as the No. 62 recruit and No. 10 corner in the nation.

February brought a pair of pledges for Bama. Atlanta Hapeville Charter four-star interior offensive lineman Chris Booker committed on Feb. 20 and was followed by Gainesville (Ga.) four-star EDGE Jamarion Matthews a day later. Both are top-30 players at their respective positions.

Despite just having the trio of commits, Alabama’s class checks in at No. 14 nationally thus far.