Alabama football will look to have more success recruiting inside of the state during the next recruiting cycle.
The Crimson Tide only signed two prospects from the state of Alabama during the 2025 cycle. Some of the state’s top talent opted to go to Auburn or leave the state to attend programs like Oregon and Texas.
Fortunately for Kalen DeBoer, the state has some impressive home-grown talent to choose from during the 2026 cycle. Alabama has a commitment from one of the state’s best cornerback prospects in Zyan Gibson and have their eyes on multiple uncommitted in-state prospects.
Here is an early look at those 2026 recruits:
Anthony Jones – 5-Star LB
Jones is one of the most talented linebacker prospects in the 2026 recruiting class with his versatility potential.
Alabama is recruiting the 6-foot-4, 240-pounder to play the WOLF position. This position moves around Kane Wommack’s defense quite frequently, and Jones has expressed interest in what he has called a ‘dominant’ defense. Alabama’s coaching staff has been in constant contact with him.
“It’s been great,” Jones told Touchdown Alabama. “I’ve been talking with them like every other day, just building a relationship with them.”
5-Star LB Anthony Jones puts St. Paul’s 7-0 with the TD reception.
He is 6-foot-4, 240-pounds. 💪💪 pic.twitter.com/BB6E4PrCsn
— Touchdown Alabama Recruiting (@TDARecruiting) September 21, 2024
Cederian Morgan – 4-Star WR
Morgan has the potential to continue Alabama’s run of producing impressive wide receivers, following in the footsteps of Squirrel White, Ryan Williams, Cam Coleman, Malcolm Simmons and Mario Craver.
Morgan grew up a fan of Alabama and has expressed interest in how the Tide’s offense has looked at times this football season.
“Their offense looks good,” Morgan told Touchdown Alabama. “They can do it all.”
Benjamin Russell 2026 6-foot-5 4-Star WR Cederian Morgan is an attention getter.
He has picked up recent offers Alabama, Clemson, Miami and Ohio State. pic.twitter.com/khab6hoP37
— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) June 29, 2024
Vodney Cleveland – 4-Star DL
Cleveland was verbally committed to Alabama for less than two months with him de-committing earlier this month.
Alabama is still expected to be involved in his recruitment moving forward, considering his relationship with the Tide’s defensive line coach, Freddie Roach.
“Just every time we talk, it just like I’m his nephew,” Cleveland told Touchdown Alabama. “But as far as like just him putting me in that defensive line, he sees a lot in me, like what I could do in that D line.”
At 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, Cleveland is dominant in the trenches for the Thundering Herd. He plays with active hands combined with an explosive burst off the snap of the football.
Prattville @PrattvilleFB 2026 4-Star DL Vodney Cleveland @Vodney_Clev was dominant at the Magic City Showcase, showing why his offer list is so long.
Cleveland will be at Auburn tomorrow and in Tuscaloosa Monday. pic.twitter.com/GgsTOOMhA0
— Touchdown Alabama Recruiting (@TDARecruiting) June 8, 2024
Jamarion Matthews – 4-Star Edge
Matthews earned an Alabama offer in October, and the Crimson Tide immediately became a major player in his recruitment.
It was an offer, which carried major significance for Matthews.
“This offer means a lot to me,” Matthews told Touchdown Alabama. “One of my goals was to get an offer from this school because my grandma was a true Alabama fan and her not being able to watch my high school football career on this earth. I know she’s up there watching, and I just know I am making her proud. Me being able to get an offer from one of the biggest football programs in college football tells me I’m doing something right.”
Matthews finished his junior season with 17 sacks while lining up on the edge at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds.
Jamarrion Gordon – 4-Star DB
Gordon was once verbally committed to Alabama and UCF. He is now back in the market as one of the best safety prospects in the state. This will be one to watch over the next few months to see if there is any mutual interest.
The four-star has shined in coverage at cornerback for Jackson High School. His reaction skills were also impressive as he breaks on the football with good speed. The Jackson product has shown versatility in the secondary as well. As a safety, he has no problem coming downhill and getting his nose dirty by making big hits on ball carriers.
Ja’Michel Jones – 4-Star RB
Jones is the state’s best running back prospect with offers from Ohio State, Notre Dame, Texas and others.
The Crimson Tide’s push for him will be one to monitor over the next several months.
There is still multiple in-state prospects, who have not weak offers from Alabama just yet and others already committed elsewhere.
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Justin Smith is the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
