Where the top 10 prospects from Alabama are committed
Football in the state of Alabama is only getting better. With the 2024 high school season beginning in less than a week, many of the top prospects in the Heart of Dixie have already made their college decisions.
As the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers prepare to battle in the SEC, schools like Alabaster Thompson and Phenix City Central seek to assert dominance once again in the high school ranks. There are 14 Alabamians in the top 250 of the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
Below are the top 10 prospects from Alabama in the 2024 cycle and the status of their recruitments.
1. WR Cam Coleman — Texas A&M commit
School: Phenix City Central
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 13 overall, No. 3 wide receiver
On3 NIL Valuation: $317K
Scouting Summary: “Twitched-up receiver with projectable size and length who is arguably the most physically-gifted pass catcher in the 2024 cycle. Projects as a dynamic X wide receiver. Measured in at 6-foot-3.5, 185 pounds with a 33.5-inch arm in the spring prior to his senior season. Tested as a rare athlete at Under Armour’s Atlanta camp, running an electronically-timed 4.46 second 40-yard dash, a 4.19 second short shuttle along with a 10’8” broad jump. Pairs his athleticism and length to result in a large catch radius. Shows the ability to make eye-popping acrobatic grabs in contested situations. Adjusts to low and wide throws. Frames the ball at the catch point, using good technique. Flashed a relatively advanced release package off the line of scrimmage in the camp setting along with the burst and long-speed to separate on Friday nights. Has the long speed to separate downfield against top corners. Runs with toughness after the catch. Has a shorter stride length for a taller wide receiver. Doubles as an electric above-the-rim athlete on the basketball court. Young for the cycle, not turning 18 years-old until his freshman season of college. Does not have the same level of gaudy production as some other top-ranked 2024 wide receivers as he split targets with Michigan signee Karmello English as a junior. Has shown several signs of a very high developmental upside along with a rapid spike in his development over the course of his junior year.”
2. ATH Jaylen Mbakwe — Alabama commit
School: Pinson Clay-Chalkville
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 15 overall, No. 1 athlete
On3 NIL Valuation: $297K
Scouting Summary: “One of the more dynamic two-way athletes early on in the 2024 cycle. Has starred on both sides of the ball for one of the top high school programs in Alabama. Measured at a shade under 5-foot-11 and around 170 pounds with a 30.5-inch arm and 8.25-inch hand. Has outstanding play speed, which he backs up on the track. Won the Alabama state titles in the 100m (10.70 seconds) and 200m (21.57 seconds) as a junior. Pulls away in the open field, easily out-running defenders. Dynamic with the ball in his hands both as a receiver and return man. Also shows the ability to separate on vertical routes. Has several kicks for touchdowns. Spent much of his time on offense as a junior, despite projecting as a cornerback long-term. Was a productive defensive back as a sophomore with high level ball production, totaling 4 interceptions and 12 pass breakups. Has a smaller, slighter frame and will need to continue honing his technique once he fully focuses on playing cornerback.”
3. WR Perry Thompson — Auburn commit
School: Foley
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 29 overall, No. 8 wide receiver
On3 NIL Valuation: $253K
Scouting Summary: “Big-framed pass catcher with some of the best physical tools among receiver prospects in the 2024 cycle. Measured at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds prior to his junior season. Has high-end length for the position with a 33.5-inch arm. Runs well at his size, showing the separation skills to get vertical and beat double coverage. Tracks the ball well with the ability to locate the ball over his shoulder for high difficulty grabs. Makes plays from the outside and in the slot. Flashes good change of direction as a route-runner on Friday nights and in the 7-on-7 setting. Makes plays after the catch and as a return man. Shows competitiveness and toughness as a two-way player. Productive in a high volume role as a junior, catching 87 passes for 1,059 yards and nine touchdowns. Does not benefit from a loaded supporting cast. On the lower end of yards per catch among his highly-touted peers with 12.2 yards per reception as a junior. Has turned in some encouraging personal best track times over high school career but can continue to consistently transfer that over to the field with his play speed and the track as the times tend to vary. Still putting his tools together but has the upside to be one of the better receivers in a strong crop at the position in the 2024 cycle.”
4. LB Demarcus Riddick — Auburn commit
School: Clanton Chilton County
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 31 overall, No. 3 LB
On3 NIL Valuation: $226K
Scouting Summary: “Smooth moving linebacker with one of the more well-rounded games at the position in the 2024 cycle. Measured at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds prior to his senior season. Has continued to fill out his frame over the past year of high school. Has adequate length for the position with 32-inch arms. Strong in all phases as a linebacker. Stands out due to his natural fluidity and strong instincts for the position. Outstanding in coverage. A natural in space. Diagnoses routes easily. A sticky defender on Friday nights and in the camp setting. Can run and stay in-phase with tight ends and running backs. Effective as a blitzer and run defender. Plays with a high effort level and flies around as a pursuit defender. Diagnoses and keys quickly. Highly productive as a junior, notching 109 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 7 sacks and 3 interceptions. Shows off his athleticism and playmaking ability taking kicks and punt returns for touchdowns. Also plays some offense. Has a basketball background and can throw down dunks on the hardwood. Does not have verified athletic markers compared to some of his highly-rated peers.”
5. EDGE Jordan Ross
School: Birmingham Vestavia Hills
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 33 overall, No. 4 EDGE
On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM): Tennessee 29%, Georgia 18.3%, Florida 12.6%
On3 NIL Valuation: $180K
Scouting Summary: “Edge defender who plays with his hand in the dirt and in a 2-point stance with a prototypical body type and motor that allows him to harass offenses all game long. Measures in at 6-foot-4.5, 215 pounds with a 6-foot-8 wingspan. Ran an impressive 4.68 electronically-timed 40-yard dash paired with a 30-inch vertical and a 4.49 short shuttle during the spring camp circuit prior to his senior season. Strong and active hands at the point of attack. Flashes raw power when defending against the run while shedding blocks. Excellent first step and get off. Tremendous closing speed in the open field, gains on ball carriers in a hurry. Will need to develop a wide array of pass rush moves to reach his ceiling at the next level but should come with collegiate coaching. Upside is through the roof and has his best ball ahead of him. On the younger end of the spectrum for the 2o24 recruiting cycle.”
6. RB Kevin Riley — Miami commit
School: Northport Tuscaloosa County
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 71 overall, No. 6 running back
On3 NIL Valuation: $137K
About: Riley chose the Hurricanes over Alabama, Auburn and Ole Miss. Miami received his lone official visit on June 16, which was followed up by a commitment just three days later. Returned for an unofficial visit at the end of July, later telling CaneSport that his recruitment is shut down. “It was important for me (to return for the barbecue) because the first couple of times I came down here for a visit, the whole coaching staff treated me like family,” Riley said. “I brought my mom, my brother and my grandma, and they treated them like family too. So it was only right to show the appreciation and show the love back to come back for another time and hang out with everyone. Since the commitment, I’ve gotten a lot closer with the commits and the coaching staff.”
7. DL Jeremiah Beaman — Alabama commit
School: Birmingham Parker
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 75 overall, No. 11 defensive lineman
On3 NIL Valuation: $121K
Scouting Summary: “Pass rushing defensive lineman with the potential to grow into a disruptive force on the interior. Measured at a shade under 6-foot-4, 250 pounds in the off-season prior to his senior year. Has solid length with a wing-span around 6-foot-7.5. Big-jointed with a big frame that should be able to add weight. Has 10.5-inch hands. Ran an electronically-timed 5.06 second 40-yard dash at Under Armour’s Atlanta camp. Lines up on the interior, at defensive end and as a pass rusher out of a two-point stance on Friday nights. Has upside as a pass rusher along the interior. Shows good instincts coming off the ball with his first step. A flexible athlete and uses his length and hands to get past offensive linemen. Capable of taking on and beating double teams. Plays with good effort in pursuit. Finished his junior season with 10 sacks, which is on the higher end for blue-chip defensive linemen. Also throws the shot put, with a best of 41-9 feet as a junior. A very good player who is a solid, not elite athlete at this stage.”
8. LB Joseph Phillips — Auburn commit
School: Tuskegee Booker T Washington
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 119 overall, No. 9 linebacker
On3 NIL Valuation: $112K
Scouting Summary: “Long, big-framed linebacker with the versatility to create disruption as a pass rusher and be a physical presence as a run defender. Measured in at 6-foot-1.5, 235 pounds prior to his senior season. Has outstanding length, registering a 6-foot-10 wing-span – among the best we’ve seen from 2024 linebacker prospects. Primarily played as a standup pass rusher as a junior, but looks to be primed for more of an off-ball inside linebacker role as a senior. Uses his quickness and length to create disruption off the edge. Heavy-handed and powerful. Plays with leverage and gets off of blocks. Shows dogged effort and pursuit speed in tracking down plays from the back side. As an off-ball linebacker, projects as a thumper against the run. A talented, big athlete who also sees time as a pass catcher on Friday nights. Finished his junior season with 75 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 9 sacks. Also plays basketball, where he’s shown some above-the-rim bounce. Will need to settle in to playing in space. His pure speed looks to be more notable as a pass rusher than an off-ball linebacker, relative to his peers at each spot. Will need to continue improving in coverage and adding consistency as a tackler.”
9. LB Bradley Shaw
School: Hoover
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 139 overall, No. 12 linebacker
On3 RPM: Alabama 23.9%, Auburn 16.8%, Notre Dame 14.4%
On3 NIL Valuation: $96K
About: Has taken five total visits to Alabama, four to Auburn. Notre Dame and Arkansas are the only schools to receive an official visit thus far, which came on June 9 and June 16, respectively. Has also made multiple trips to Mississippi State, Georgia and Vanderbilt. “They are up there for me. It is Notre Dame, Alabama, Auburn and Arkansas at the top right now. I like the tradition at Notre Dame. Everyone there has one focus. It sets you up for life after football too. It is a great place,” Shaw told On3’s Chad Simmons in June.
10. LB Sterling Dixon — Alabama commit
School: Mobile Spanish Fort
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 179 overall, No. 17 linebacker
On3 NIL Valuation: $103K
About: Chose the Crimson Tide over Auburn and LSU. Has taken nine total trips to Tuscaloosa, including an OV on June 16, which has since been followed by an unofficial visit on July 29. “This time it just felt like home,” Dixon said regarding the recent visit to Alabama. “It just feels normal. It almost feels like I am already there. They treat me like family,” Dixon told BamaOnLine. “The best part is just building a better bond with the players and my future teammates. I was around other recruits who have the same vision as me. I spent a lot of time with Justin Okorokwo and Isaia Faga. It’s nice to get to know them more.”