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Top Alabama high school football recruits for the Class of 2026

Wg0vf-nP_400x400by:Keegan Pope02/20/25

bykeeganpope

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While it might not produce the sheer number of elite high school football prospects as states like Georgia, Florida or Texas, it’s hard to argue with the quality in Alabama. With a population of just over 5 million, the Yellowhammer State is as good as it gets when it comes producing football players per capita.

More than 60 Alabama products were featured on NFL rosters this year, and looking at college programs like Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida and others only reinforces how many talented prospects come from the state.

The 2026 class looks to be more of the same, with nearly a dozen recruits from the state ranking among top 150 prospects nationally. Below are the top 10 recruit from Alabama in rising senior class:

1. EDGE Anthony Jones

High School: St. Paul’s Episcopal
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 12

After starting his high school career split between receiver and linebacker, Jones has grown into one of the nation’s most feared pass-rushers at the high school level. This season alone, he notched 75 tackles, including 17 tackles for loss, seven sacks, 20 quarterback hurries and a pair of forced fumbles. Top Offers: Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Georgia, Texas A&M

2. WR Cederian Morgan

High School: Benjamin Russell
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 18

Standing at 6’5 and over 200 pounds, Morgan is a nightmare for opposing defenders to try and cover. As a junior this fall, he hauled in 70 passes for 1,162 yards and 14 scores. He’s also a standout in track and field, hitting 6’4 in the high jump as a sophomore. Good luck coming down with a jump ball against him. Top Offers: Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Clemson, Oregon

3. EDGE Hezekiah Harris

High School: Jemison
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 61

Harris is a multi-sport standout as well, dominating on both the hardwood and the gridiron. Playing primarily defensive end for Jemison this fall, he notched 14 sacks and 20 tackles for loss while living in opposing backfields. Top Offers: Auburn (commit), Alabama, Mississippi State, Oregon, USC

4. CB Zyan Gibson

High School: Gadsden City
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 75

The 6-foot, 175-pound Gibson is a lightning bolt, registering a 10.85 100-meter dash time as a sophomore. As one of the state’s lockdown corners, he doesn’t see a ton of passes thrown his way. But he was a key factor on both sides of the ball — as a defensive back and receiver — in Gadsden City’s 6-4 finish this year. Top Offers: Alabama (commit), Auburn, Ole Miss, Georgia, Oregon

5. RB Ezavier Crowell

High School: Jackson
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 86

Recently reclassified from 2027, Crowell has been one of the state’s best backs over the past two years as an underclassman. As a sophomore this fall at Jackson, Crowell tallied 168 carries and ran for 1,964 yards and 31 touchdowns. He also had 258 receiving yards and a pair of scores. The Aggies lost just one game in 2024 and claimed the Alabama 4A state title. Top Offers: Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Texas, Ole Miss

6. DL Vodney Cleveland

High School: Parker
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 89

On a defense full of Division I talent this fall, Cleveland was a force for the Thundering Herd up front. He notched 50 total tackles, including 7.5 for loss, to go along with 5.5 sacks while helping lead Parker to an Alabama 6A state title. Top Offers: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Oregon

7. EDGE Shadarius Toodle

High School: Cottage Hill Christian Academy
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 92

Few players in the state are more productive from their linebacker/edge spot than Toodle, who has a combined 260 tackles in the past two seasons. Along with that, he has registered a dozen sacks and 13 tackles for loss as a junior. Top Offers: Auburn (commit), LSU, Ohio State, Oregon, USC

8. LB Jaquez Wilkes

High School: Wadley
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 97

Wilkes has been on the scene since he was an eighth grader, where he notched more than 60 tackles and nine sacks playing up to the high school level. He moved over to linebacker the next three years, and also doubles as one of the state’s best running backs. During his freshman and sophomore seasons, he amassed more than 3,500 yards and 35 touchdowns. As a junior, he followed that up with 2,582 yards and 37 scores, to go along with 117 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss and a pair of interceptions. Top Offers: Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Oregon

9. QB Landon Duckworth

High School: Jackson
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 109

Teaming up with Crowell, Duckworth gives Jackson High one of the most lethal run-pass duos not only in the state, but nationally as well. He broke out as a junior this fall, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 39 touchdowns, while adding almost 700 rushing yards and 12 more scores. Top Offers: South Carolina, Auburn, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Missouri, Georgia

10. WR Marquez Daniel

High School: Booker T Washington
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 138

Daniel is one of the state’s best big-play threats and has been for a couple years now. As a sophomore, he hauled in 33 passes to the tune of 640 yards (19.4 YPC) and nine touchdowns. He was even more impressive as a junior, catching 38 balls for 757 yards and 12 touchdowns. The 6-foot-5, 195-pounder is as tough a cover as there is in the state. Top Offers: Florida, Auburn, LSU, Penn State, Texas, Miami, Georgia