DEAL DONE: Alabama confirm another crucial 5-star deal
As Alabama concludes a bustling summer on the recruiting trail, the Tide leads the nation with five 5-star commitments for the 2025 class, currently holding the top recruiting class per On3. They remain in contention for several key prospects.
Among Alabama’s five 5-stars, only cornerback Dijon Lee will play on defense. The question is whether the Crimson Tide can secure another 5-star defender before the 2025 cycle ends. Though the chances may be slim, Alabama is always a strong contender for elite targets.
Justus Terry, a consensus 5-star and generally considered a top-10 player in the country, is one of the best defensive linemen in the 2025 class. With his exceptional power and athleticism, Terry is poised to make an immediate impact in the SEC. However, he is expected to choose Georgia. Terry was committed to the Bulldogs for over a year before switching to USC in March, only to decommit in June. Despite this, it is widely believed he will end up in Athens. Alabama did secure the first visit after his decommitment, and while it’s a long shot, there remains a small chance Bama could sway Terry.
Na’eem Offord, the top player in Alabama and a consensus 5-star, is another priority target for the Tide. The Birmingham native, considered the best cornerback in the class, has been committed to Ohio State since February and is expected to be difficult to flip. Nonetheless, Alabama will persist until December, and Offord could significantly impact who finishes with the top recruiting class for 2025. Even if they can’t flip him, Bama already has skilled cornerback commits in Dijon Lee and Chuck McDonald.
Ty Jackson is one of the nation’s top linebacker prospects. While not currently a 5-star, he could achieve that status by signing day. On3 ranks Jackson as the top linebacker and 25th best player in the country, which could place him within the 5-star range if maintained through his senior season. ESPN also ranks him as the No. 1 linebacker in the 2025 class. Alabama is a strong contender for Jackson, but he is not expected to decide until later in the cycle. If he chooses Alabama, he will join a formidable linebacker class that includes top-100 linebacker Duke Johnson and top-100 edge commits Justin Hill and Dawson Merritt.
Individually, the chances of Alabama landing any of these players might be uncertain, but collectively, there is a decent chance Bama could add at least one more 5-star defender to its 2025 class.