The Alabama Crimson Tide’s 2026 recruiting class is gaining momentum! In a major move, Alabama made headlines in the college football world by securing a highly coveted prospect expected to make an immediate impact upon arrival. On Friday afternoon, four-star EDGE rusher Jamarion Matthews announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide.
Standing at 6’3″ and weighing 250 pounds, Matthews hails from Gainesville, Florida, and chose Alabama over top programs like Florida State, LSU, and Clemson. Most notably, ‘Bama fans can take pride in Matthews opting for the Tide over their longtime rival, LSU. In a video filmed outside his high school, Matthews dramatically pulled off his hoodie to reveal an Alabama t-shirt underneath.
Ranked No. 214 overall and the No. 18 EDGE defender in the 2026 class, Matthews spent his junior year at Sparkman High School in Harvest, Alabama, before transferring to Gainesville High School in Georgia for his senior season. During his time at Sparkman, he recorded an impressive 57 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, and 17 sacks.
Matthews’ commitment marks the third addition to Coach Kalen DeBoer’s 2026 recruiting class. Prior to his decision, Alabama had already secured pledges from offensive lineman Chris Booker and ATH Zyan Gibson.
