On Christmas Eve, the Alabama Crimson Tide received some promising news on the recruiting trail. 2026 four-star cornerback Zyan Gibson announced his commitment to Alabama over Auburn, Miami (FL), and Tennessee. He is the first player to commit to the Crimson Tide as a part of the ’26 recruiting class. Gibson is an Alabama native, and in-state recruiting will be key for Alabama moving forward.
Previously, Alabama had a verbal commitment from 2026 four-star defensive line Vodney Cleveland. A week ago, he announced that he was decommitting from the Crimson Tide. Something else that is eye-catching is the fact that Alabama was out-recruited by Auburn in terms of landing in-state talent in 2025. The Tigers landed 11 in-state prospects whereas the Crimson Tide landed just two. While it might seem overly concerning, it could also stem from the fact that the coaching staff prioritized other prospects out of state. Regardless, it seems like something to monitor moving forward.
In the past, Alabama has seen its share of wins and losses on the recruiting trail in the state of Alabama. In recent years, Alabama lost out on several in-state targets including defensive lineman Peter Woods, defensive lineman Justice Finkley, wide receiver Perry Thompson, and cornerback Na’eem Offord. Several key wins that Alabama had on the recruiting trail were being able to land signatures from wide receiver Ryan Williams, cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe, and linebacker Deontae Lawson.
The coaching staff will need to establish a pipeline when it comes to landing in-state talent. It is essential for the program moving forward. General manager Courtney Morgan and associate director of player personnel Eron Hodges have been intricate in helping Alabama land some of the top talent in the state.
This will be something to monitor for Alabama fans as the seasons roll along. This coaching staff will have to continue to establish relationships with coaches, players, and the players’ families across the state. That could go a long way in helping Alabama establish its roster and continue to have success on and off the field.
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Brody Smoot is a team reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “follow” him on X, via @brodysmoot.
