4-star DL Vodney Cleveland names top six schools

Birmingham (Ala.) Parker four-star defensive lineman Vodney Cleveland decommitted from Alabama in December, backing off a pledge he made in October.

Two months later, one of the country’s interior maulers has a new list of top schools, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett. Among the remaining contenders are Georgia, Florida, Miami, Texas, North Carolina and Auburn.

NEWS: Four-Star DL Vodney Cleveland is down to 6️⃣ Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’3 305 DL from Birmingham, AL is one of the Top DL in the ‘26 Class

Was previously committed to Alabama

Where Should He Go?👇🏽https://t.co/ByZF7YRc8O pic.twitter.com/jVPWoUDlSB

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) February 18, 2025

Cleveland is coming off a visit to Auburn last month, as well as two visits to Florida in the span of just three weeks. His first visit with the Gators was so much of a success that he returned for their second junior day event as well.

“Really just getting back down here to Gainesville — just spending time with Coach (Billy) Napier, Coach (Gerald) Chatman and Coach (Jeremy) Patterson,” Cleveland told GatorsOnline. “It’s just a great feeling down here. Family oriented. What really makes this place special is just the people around here. And it’s just real family oriented. Everything is real around here.”

As a junior last fall, 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.

The 6-foot-3, 305-pounder is the No. 89 overall prospect in the 2026 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranks as the nation’s No. 7 defensive lineman and No. 6 player in Alabama.