Alabama flips 2026 safety Rihyael Kelley from Rutgers

Cincinnati Winton Woods three-star safety Rihyeal Kelley has flipped his commitment from Rutgers to Alabama, he told On3’s Hayes Fawcett on Monday.

The Buckeye State defensive back committed to the Scarlet Knights earlier this month on June 8, but he’s now set to join the fold in Tuscaloosa after taking an official visit over the weekend.

Kelley is the No. 999 overall prospect and No. 91 safety in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 41 player in Ohio.

It’s the latest flip for head coach Kalen DeBoer and the Bama staff, continuing what’s been a very fruitful month thus far. Earlier on Monday, the Tide flipped Tampa Bay Tech three-star running back Javari Barnett from Illinois.

Kelley pledged to Rutgers coming off an official visit to Piscataway, flipping to the Big Ten program from Toledo. He’s now in the mix for an SEC juggernaut that got him to campus for an OV just a few weekends later.

Alabama racking up summer commitments

Kelley is the fifth commitment of the month for Bama, giving it 10 commits overall this cycle. A monumental quarterback flip has headlined the recent additions.

Omaha (Neb.) Millard South four-star QB Jett Thomalla was identified as a signal-caller of interest for the Tide this cycle, and after getting him to campus, DeBoer and Co. were able to flip him away from Iowa State on June 17. Thomalla is the No. 122 recruit and No. 10 QB in the 2026 On300.

“What excites me most about Bama is the chance to compete at the highest level,” Thomalla told On3’s Steve Wiltfong. “The coaches really believe in me, and with their resources and track record of developing quarterbacks for the NFL, they’re a program that can take me to the next level.”

Orange Lutheran (Calif.) four-star interior offensive lineman Samuelu Utu committed on June 9 and ranks as the No. 14 IOL this cycle. Indianapolis Warren Central three-star defensive lineman JJ Finch committed on Sunday.

Marietta (Ga.) Sprayberry five-star cornerback Jorden Edmonds remains the class jewel following his pledge at the end of March. He’s one half of an elite corner duo alongside Gadsden City (Ala.) four-star Zyan Gibson, a top-100 prospect.

Gainesville (Ga.) four-star EDGE Jamarion Matthews is On3’s No. 64 recruit and No. 10 EDGE. He pledged on Feb. 21. Atlanta Hapeville four-star IOL Chris Booker and Muscle Shoals (Ala.) four-star defensive lineman Kamhariyan Johnson are the other blue-chippers in the mix to date.