Decision Day: Will Alabama add legacy recruit to 2024 class?
Today could mark yet another milestone in Nick Saban’s illustrious coaching career at the University of Alabama.
This afternoon, Gadsden (Ala.) City High’s Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. will announce his college decision. Alabama is one of the finalists in his recruitment. If Kirkpatrick Jr. selects the Crimson Tide, he would become the first recruit to join the program whose father played for Saban at Bama.
Dre Kirkpatrick Sr. had a sensational three-year career in Tuscaloosa, ultimately being selected in the first round (pick No. 17) by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2011 NFL Draft.
BamaOnLine previews Kirkpatrick Jr.’s upcoming decision and where things stand in his recruitment.
Date: Aug. 18
Time: 5:00 p.m. Central/6:00 p.m. Eastern
Finalists: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, and Missouri
Social Media Links: Kirkpatrick’s Twitter and Kirkpatrick’s Instagram
Join the discussion: BOL Round Table
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Alabama a finalist after recent offer to Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.
Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.’s name is a familiar one for Alabama fans. An offer from the program, however, only recently arrived.
The 5-foot-10.5, 198-pounder camped in front of Saban and Company back on July 25. That same day, Kirkpatrick earned an offer from Saban himself. Kirkpatrick, whose father was a cornerback, is being recruited by Bama as a safety.
Kirkpatrick would go on to announce his commitment date exactly one week after Alabama dipped into his recruitment.
“Coach Saban told me to continue on with what I’m doing,” Kirkpatrick told BOL the day of his offer. “I’m on the right path. Don’t change anything I’m doing. Just work on me as a player and as a person. Just better myself. He said I’m real physical, naturally gifted, and all he was waiting on was to see him with his own eyes.”
Click HERE for BOL’s Prediction on Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.
Although he announced a top four earlier this month, Kirkpatrick’s recruitment will come down to Alabama and Missouri. The Tigers extended an offer to him back in January, and got him on campus for an official visit in June.
In his prior conversation with BOL, Kirkpatrick stated that while his father was relieved when he got the Bama offer, he’s not pushing his son one way or the other. Kirkpatrick outlined at the time why Alabama is a school he’s strongly considering.
“I definitely like the atmosphere,” Kirkpatrick previously said. “The legacy that they have. Their DB development also sticks out. I’m kind of connected with a couple of them, like Eddie Jackson and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Hopefully, I can also make it to the NFL myself.”
In his junior campaign, Kirkpatrick recorded 85 total tackles, 25 pass break-ups, four interceptions, and four forced fumbles. You can watch his 2022 season highlights HERE.
As of publishing this article, the Crimson Tide currently have the No. 4 class on the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking Football Team Recruiting Rankings.
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