Alabama trending for safety Dre Kirkpatrick Jr ahead of commitment

In less than 24 hours, Gadsden City (Ala.) three-star safety Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. will announce his commitment. Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn and Missouri make up the SEC quartet that’s still in the running for the DB.

There’s a clear favorite amongst the four, however, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). Following a new pick logged by BamaOnLine’s Andrew Bone with a 60% confidence level, the Crimson Tide now have a 94.1% chance to land Kirkpatrick’s pledge. Mizzou is a distant second at just 4%.

Kirkpatrick has taken three visits to Tuscaloosa, including a recent trip at the end of July, which ended with an official offer from Nick Saban. His lone official visit came with Missouri, but the Tide will enter his decision day as the frontrunner.

“Coach Saban told me to continue on with what I’m doing,” Kirkpatrick Jr. told BOL. “I’m on the right path. Don’t change anything I’m doing. Just work on me as a player and as a person. Just better myself. He said I’m real physical, naturally gifted, and all he was waiting on was to see him with his own eyes.”

The safety is the son of former Alabama All-American, Dre Kirkpatrick. The 5-foot-10.5, 198-pounder could be on track to follow the footsteps of his father. Kirkpatrick Jr is the No. 129 safety and No. 48 player in Alabama, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

“I always try not to compare myself to my dad because we’re totally different players,” Kirkpatrick Jr. said. “At the age I am, I’m way bigger than he was in college. He was a speedy, lanky, cover corner; real good in man. I feel like I’m more aggressive. I can play over the top or down at safety. I’m not scared to hit. Just a lot of stuff that’s different.”

Alabama battling Florida for No. 3 class

Alabama and Florida have gone back and forth for the No. 3 recruiting class in the 2024 cycle behind Georgia and Ohio State, per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. The Gators currently have the nod for the last spot on the podium after the recent addition of Marrero (La.) John Ehret four-star cornerback Wardell Mack.

The Crimson Tide’s class features 17 commits, including a pair of five-star prospects: Carlsbad (Calif.) Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Julian Sayin and Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville athlete Jaylen Mbakwe. Behind the top-20 recruits is a wave of 10 four-stars, including Carrollton (Ga.) tight end Caleb Odom, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei CB Zabien Brown, Lindale (Texas) interior offensive lineman Casey Poe, Birmingham (Ala.) Parker defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman and Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco safety Peyton Woodyard, all of whom are top-100 recruits.

Kirkpatrick would be the fifth defensive back pledge for the Crimson Tide. Brown, Woodyard, Tampa Catholic four-star CB Jameer Grimsley and Phenix City (Ala.) Central three-star Florida State safety flip Red Morgan combine to make the secondary a prevalent part of Bama’s 2024 class.