4-star TE Kaleb Edwards commits to Alabama: ‘I like everything about that place’

El Dorado Hills (Calif.) Oak Ridge four-star tight end Kaleb Edwards took his first visit to Alabama for the Crimson Tide’s spring game on April 13. Since that trip, he compared every other program he visited to Alabama. 

Edwards returned to Tuscaloosa for an official visit with his entire family from June 17-19 and realized he could see himself playing at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturdays. The Crimson Tide ended up staying at the top for the 6-foot-6, 235-pound recruit, who committed to head coach Kalen DeBoer and his staff on Tuesday over Auburn, Oregon and Texas. 

“I’m looking forward to getting to say that I play football for the University of Alabama,” Edwards told On3. “I am excited to get that feeling of being part of the family and the culture. I like everything about that place.” 

Being on campus for the spring game made a big impression on Edwards, as he got to experience the atmosphere around Alabama football. The No. 9 player in California thought then that the chance to play in front of the Crimson Tide’s fans would be “exciting and electric.” 

Alabama’s “super special” culture also caught Edwards’ attention. He is eager to join his future teammates to help the Crimson Tide win more conference and national championships.

“It’s about working hard,” said Edwards, the No. 122 overall prospect and No. 5 tight end in the 2025 On300. “At any program, you have to work hard and I think they instill that in you. But they also know that at the end of the day, it’s still a sport, it’s a game and you want to have fun with it. I think they know that when players are having fun, they’re playing better.” 

Edwards is excited to play for the Alabama coaches

Edwards visited Washington twice before DeBoer and some of his assistants made the move to Tuscaloosa. The four-star was already impressed with the coaching staff and culture by then, which ended up helping Alabama in his recruitment. 

Alabama’s staff showed Edwards how they could help the Crimson Tide win, as well as how much they care about their players. That made an impact on Edwards, who had high praise of DeBoer. 

“His knowledge of football and how good he is at developing players is impressive,” Edwards said. “He’s won everywhere he’s been, so that’s super intriguing to me. Also, having the ability to go in, talk and hang out with him was great. Before my family and I had a meeting with him, he was in a meeting with one of the tight ends on the team. They were catching up and hanging out. I think it’s awesome to be able to do that with a head coach.” 

Tight ends coach Bryan Ellis is another Alabama staffer that Edwards grew close with. Ellis joined the Crimson Tide this offseason after serving as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Georgia Southern. 

“We have a great relationship,” Edwards said. “I had never met him before I got the offer from Alabama, but our connection has grown exponentially in the past couple of months. He’s a lot like coach DeBoer. He knows so much about football and has a background as an OC, so he knows more than just the little details that apply to a tight end. 

“He knows why we’re doing something, what the quarterback looks for to get the tight ends the ball, different schemes and why we’re running them and how to make the most out of routes.”