Alabama, Auburn trending to flip Georgia 5-star LB commit Demarcus Riddick

Clanton (Ala.) Chilton County five-star linebacker Demarcus Riddick was one of Georgia’s earliest major commitments in the 2024 class.

Back in November, Riddick picked the Bulldogs over in-state programs like Alabama and Auburn, as well as a host of other schools. He’s remained in Georgia’s class since then, but hasn’t been shy about taking other visits and considering his options.

Included in that were official visits to both Alabama and Auburn in June, as well as a trip back to Athens. Riddick plans to announce his final decision on July 26, and both in-state programs have made flipping him a top priority.

The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) shows nearly a dead-even race between the two, with Alabama holding a 39.2 percent chance of pulling off the flip, while Auburn’s chances sit at 31.2%.

“Riddick has made it known that on July 26, his mother’s birthday, he will announce his final decision,” On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons wrote last week. “At that time, Riddick is expected to flip to Alabama or Auburn. This is still trending toward Alabama, but Auburn has made up ground this summer. At one time, Joseph Phillips was all but committed to Georgia, then he committed to Auburn.

… Do not rule the Tigers out, and this race has tightened up over the last six weeks. Communication with Georgia has died down some, but based on intel, it is still consistent with Alabama and Auburn.”

Demarcus Riddick would be a major addition for either local program

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Riddick is the nation’s No. 31 overall recruiting, 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. 3 linebacker and the No. 4 recruit in the Yellowhammer State.

As a junior last fall, he amassed 109 tackles, 19 tackles for a loss, 11 hurries and seven sacks, while also pulling down three interceptions.

The Crimson Tide have a trio of linebacker commitments already in the fold with four-stars Cayden Jones and Sterling Dixon, along with German standout Justin Okoronkwo. And on his official visit, head coach Nick Saban made it a point to tell Riddick that he’s not only wanted, but he’s also needed at Alabama.

“He was just basically telling him that they don’t have anybody like Demarcus on their team and that they really needed him,” his mother told BamaOnLine’s Joseph Hastings. “Kind of told us how they would develop him into the star player they know he can be. Things of that nature. Basically, about his performance and what he can do for the team.”

As for the rival Tigers, they already pulled off a win over the Bulldogs this summer by landing four-star linebacker Joseph Phillips, but poaching Riddick would be a major feather in Hugh Freeze’s cap early in his tenure on The Plains.