5-star security Jireh Edwards, No. 23 within the 2026 ESPN 300, grew to become the top-ranked member of Alabama’s newest recruiting class when he introduced his dedication to the Crimson Tide on Saturday.
Edwards is ESPN’s second-ranked security within the 2026 cycle. A 6-foot-2, 210-pound defender from Baltimore, Edwards selected Alabama over finalists Auburn and Georgia. His pledge leaves solely 5 of the 23 five-star recruits featured within the 2026 ESPN 300 nonetheless uncommitted, headlined by No. 1 total prospect Lamar Brown and top-ranked operating again Derrek Cooper (No. 7 total).
Edwards’ pledge marks the newest and most-profile addition of the Crimson Tide’s current summer time recruiting surge, which has now yielded this system six prime 300 commits since June 26.
These commitments have catapulted Alabama to No. 9 in ESPN’s newest class rankings for the 2026 cycle, an increase anchored by an more and more proficient defensive class. Edwards joins exterior linebacker Xavier Edwards (No. 30 total) cornerbacks Jorden Edmonds (No. 38) and Zyan Gibson (No. 65) and defensive ends Nolan Wilson (No. 53) and Jamarion Matthews (No. 92) because the sixth prime 100 defender pledged to educate Kalen DeBoer’s second recruiting class with this system.
Edwards opened his spring official go to slate with journeys to Auburn, Alabama and Georgia final month. He subsequently canceled scheduled visits to Oregon and Texas A&M and narrowed his recruitment to the Tigers, Crimson Tide and Bulldogs.
A playmaking defender at Baltimore’s St. Frances Academy, Edwards stars alongside No. 2 total prospect Zion Elee (Maryland pledge) on one of many nation’s highschool defenses. He accounted for 92 complete tackles with six cross breakups and three pressured fumbles as a junior in 2024.
Upon Edward’s pledge, four-star security Bralan Womack (No. 32) stays because the final uncommitted amongst ESPN’s prime 10 security prospects in 2026. Womack is predicted to announce his dedication between Auburn, Florida, Ohio State and Texas A&M in August.