Alabama continues Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings rise after landing fifth 5-star

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer and his staff remain completely ablaze on the recruiting trail. Yet another five-star commitment went public in favor of the Crimson Tide on Saturday, as Upper Marlboro (Md.) St. Frances Academy safety Jireh Edwards is now in the boat in Tuscaloosa.

The Tide now have a whopping five five-star pledges in their 2026 class. No other program currently has more than two.

Edwards chose Bama over Auburn and Georgia. He began to trend toward the Tide during official visit season last month and has now made it official. The addition of the five-star safety vaults Bama up to No. 4 in the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

“I grew up being a Bama fan, watching Bama play,” Edwards told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong about his commitment. “Them doing all the great things on TV. Me having an opportunity to be part of that, you can’t go past … that’s a dream come true.”

Alabama now has eight top-100 prospects in its 2026 class. DeBoer and Co. will be in contention for the nation’s No. 1 class when signing day rolls around this winter.

Looking at Bama’s absurd 5-star haul

Edwards helps form an elite trio of defensive backs in the Bama class. On Christmas Eve, Gadsden City (Ala.) four-star cornerback Zyan Gibson gave the Tide a big early pledge. He’s a top-100 recruit and the nation’s No. 11 CB. At the end of March, Marietta (Ga.) Sprayberry five-star CB Jorden Edmonds, the No. 21 overall prospect and No. 2 CB, committed.

Edmonds has now been flanked by four five-star commitments across the last nine days. On June 26, Jackson (Ala.) five-star running back Ezavier Crowell pledged, giving the Tide the nation’s No. 2 RB this cycle.

Three days later, Gainesville (Ga.) five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin joined the class. The former USC commit sped through his process a second time and quickly found a home in T-Town. He is the No. 2 LB in the cycle.

Just three days ago on July 2, Alexander City (Ala.) Benjamin Russell five-star wide receiver Cederian Morgan committed. He sits atop the class as the No. 15 overall prospect and No. 2 WR this cycle. The last week-and-a-half has also brought pledges from top-100 prospects in Picayune (Miss.) Memorial four-star defensive lineman Nolan Wilson and Dunlap (Ill.) four-star tight end Mack Sutter.

It’s an elite class that now features 19 total commits. Just USC, Georgia and Notre Dame rank ahead of the Tide following Edwards’ commitment. Bama is also currently trending for five-star EDGE Anthony ‘Tank’ Jones, per the Rivals Recruiting Prediction Machine.