BIG NEWS: No. 2 recruit in Alabama commits to the Crimson Tide
Alabama and Coach Kalen DeBoer strike again within the state borders. The Crimson Tide has won a few significant recruiting battles since Coach Nick Saban retired which provides a significant confidence boost in the future of the program. It started with Ryan Williams, and then a flip from Antonio Coleman. Derick Smith, the No. 2 player in the state per On3 Sports, announced his commitment to the University of Alabama on Monday.
Smith, who stars on both sides of the ball at Southside High School in Selma, pulled off a major surprise when he revealed the decision. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound athlete has kept a relatively low profile during his recruitment for the last year. Many viewed Auburn as the front-runner. Smith had the Tide in his top three prior to the new coaching staff in T-town.
“Alabama is Alabama, and it has that standard,” Smith told On3. “They will always go by that standard, no matter what. The program is going to stay on top under coach DeBoer. He knows how to win, he has a good staff and the players are going to play hard for him.”
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The interest was in ‘stand-by’ mode until after Smith met with Coach DeBoer. Alabama visited his school at least twice in January including a visit from the new head coach. Smith also attended Junior Day on February 3. BOL provided a significant update on Smith last week, indicating that Alabama moved to the front of his recruitment.
“I love what they’ve done at the receiver position,” Smith told BOL regarding Alabama. “They’ve got a lot of first-round picks. They’ve got a lot of receivers in the NFL. I like what they’ve done with the receivers.
“Same thing [with the defensive backs]. They’ve got a lot of DBs drafted. Got them to the NFL in the first, second, and third rounds.”
The No. 3 ranked safety in the 2025 class, per On3 Sports, has developed a fast relationship with Coach DeBoer, wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack. Much credit is given to area recruiter Freddie Roach who has remained a stalwart on the recruiting front.
Smith had more than 1,400 yards receiving during the 2023 season including 1,000 yards rushing with 24 total touchdowns. Smith also had 109 tackles, 11 sacks and a pick six. Alabama has recruited Smith as an ‘athlete’, providing him the option to choose the future position- On3 Sports Analysis
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Fans, and those outside the program, are learning quickly Coach Kalen DeBoer knows how to recruit, despite the lack of previous ties to the SEC. Many questioned how Coach DeBoer would recruit in the Southeast, let alone in the state. Alabama has five commitments- Smith, Coleman, RB Anthony Rogers (Montgomery-Carver), LB Myles Johnson (T.R. Miller), and DB Zymear Smith (Denton-North Carolina, Mary.).
Coach’s Take: New Alabama commit has no ceiling
The recent additions, the sheer amount of recruits who have visited Tuscaloosa in the last week and the positive momentum has been captured by this new staff. The Crimson Tide just might continue as a dominant force on the recruiting trail.
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