Alabama flips 4-star OL Bryson Cooley from LSU

It’s been a quiet fall on the recruiting trail for Alabama, but no longer. The Tide have flipped four-star offensive lineman Bryson Cooley out of West Jones (Miss.) ahead of National Signing Day.

The massive 6-foot-6, 315-pounder had been committed to the Tigers since July, when he chose them over the Crimson Tide, Ole Miss and Mississippi State. But with the shakeup that came after the firing of Brian Kelly and hiring of Lane Kiffin, Alabama pounced at the opportunity to add him to its class.

Mississippi State was close to pulling off the flip itself, but ultimately the Tide won out. The relationships and development were key.

“I’m looking for a place that can develop me, love me for who I am, and help me better myself daily,” Cooley told BamaOnLine back in May prior to his official visit. “The way they develop players through the years, it shows in the NFL. They have a bunch of players hit the combine every year, I think that’s something big that should be pointed out. Not everybody gets to make it that far.”

His connection with Alabama offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic was one that endured despite his commitment to the Tigers.

“I like how he coaches,” Cooley said in June. “He breaks down each side of his line, he breaks down their the left side of the work and the right side of the work. He knows how to cover the whole defensive front and makes sure everybody blocks their side, I like that. And the development, in the weight room they use a lot of scientific things. That blew me away, I was like, ‘this is kind of crazy.’”

Cooley is the No. 220 overall prospect and No. 20 offensive tackle in the 2026 class, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, an equally weighted average that utilizes all three major recruiting services.

Rivals however, is higher on him than both 247 and ESPN, tabbing him as the country’s No. 134 recruit and No. 15 OT.