Four-Star CB Zabien Brown commits to Alabama

Four-star cornerback Zabien Brown of Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei announced his commitment to Alabama Sunday afternoon.

The 6-foot-1, 180 pounder chose the Crimson Tide over USC and Ohio State.

Brown on why he chose Alabama

“I just felt like there was a unique opportunity being presented and I really felt at home out there,” Brown said. “Also, I have a great connection with the coaches.”

Relationship with coaching staff + their plan for him

“I grew a great relationship with coach T-Rob, coach Wiggins, and coach Sam Petitio,” Brown said. “Also had great talks with coach Saban and my family and reminded me a lot of coach Rollo.”

The Golden State cornerback joins coach Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide’s top 5 class in the 2024 team rankings. He is accompanied by five-star quarterback Julian Sayin, five-star athlete Jaylen Mbakwe, and others.

Brown ranks as the No. 62 player in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also tabs in as the No. 7 cornerback and the No. 5 player in the state of California.

He currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $115. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

Personal Life (via On3)

“Zabien Brown got an opportunity to star early on in his career when former star Mater Dei recruit Damani Jackson suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Despite being picked on routinely early on, Brown wasn’t fazed and the coaches at Mater Dei raved about his development and confidence during the 2021 season. He would quickly emerge as one of the nation’s top defensive back recruits. “I feel like I’m really good up close and pressing,” Brown said. “Making sure people aren’t running over the top of me and really just becoming that shutdown corner.” During his junior season, Brown was sixth on the Monarchs in total tackles and led the team with three interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown against Los Alamitos.”