Alabama Captures Wolf in Ohio: Top 100 pass rusher commits to the Crimson Tide

Kalen DeBoer CAN flat out deliver! The first-year Alabama head coach just made an emphatic statement on the recruiting trail with a significant win against Ohio State. Justin Hill, Top 100 EDGE from Winton Woods High School in Cincinnati, announced his commitment to the University of Alabama on Wednesday.

Hill had trimmed the choices to UA, Ohio State, Oregon and USC. Those who have followed Hill’s recruitment closely during the last few months knew this was a two-way battle with Alabama edging out the home-state school.

“Obviously they’re the standard when it comes to college football,” Hill told On3 Sports regarding Alabama. “They have been for awhile. I’ve always liked the school and how they’re ran. I fell in love with how the campus is, how calm it is, how they play football. How the staff is open.”

On3 National Analysis: New EDGE commit is a ‘big get’ for Bama

This wasn’t just a win for a top recruit in the Buckeye State. Hill has called Ohio State his “dream school” since the start of his recruitment. He visited Columbus several times, but he also took a few trips to Tuscaloosa including twice during the Nick Saban era, and two visits with the Crimson Tide since April including an official visit June 14-16.

“They offer what he’s looking for. He fits their scheme,” said Hill’s mother, Emily Herzog after the official visit. “I do believe it has an impact. Like I said, the friendships that he’s building on this second time around, going there, and spending time with them. 

“They painted the full picture of a day in the life at Bama,” Herzog added. “He knows what life is going to be like if he chooses Bama. There were no stones left unturned. Every question was answered. He’s got a full picture. He just needs time to himself when he gets done with this next visit so he can process all these things and make his decision.”

Updated Commitment List: Alabama battling for No. 1 class

Alabama did a fantastic job recruiting Hill since the new staff first arrived in Tuscaloosa. He credits OLB coach Christian Robinson as playing a major role in the process, but safeties coach Colin Hitschler, was also active in the Tide’s pursuit. He quickly connected with Hill as soon as he joined Alabama’s staff in January. Coach DeBeor, Courtney Morgan (Alabama football GM) and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack were relentless in their pursuit.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound pass rusher had 36 tackles, 13 sacks, 16 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles during the 2023 season. He is recruited strictly to play the ‘Wolf’ linebacker for the Crimson Tide. He is the second, and final commitment at the position joining Dawson Merritt, Top 100 LB from Blue Valley High School in Overland Park, Kansas, who committed to Alabama last week.

Hill is on track for early graduation, and expects to arrive in December.

Who’s next? READ HERE!

Quick thoughts:

Major props to the UA coaching staff for not backing down to a street fight against Ohio State for a key in-state target. The No. 2 recruit in Ohio had high interest in the Buckeyes, but Alabama was also on the short list for the last several months. The connection built with not only the staff, but also the players in such as short time moved the needle in the Tide’s direction.

BOL has seen major recruiting wins for Alabama this summer which has propelled the class to unexpected heights, which currently ranks as No. 2 per the On3 Industry Team Rankings. There was a lot of catching up to do for this new staff when it first arrived. They have battled with a fury, and have received significant commitments from across the country.

Many expected the wins to come from local recruits or those from the West Coast. Coach DeBoer and Co. have proven they can go into any region of the country and continue to have similar success as the predecessor, Nick Saban, in at least the first full year on the recruiting cycle. Coach Saban also signed a No. 1 class in year one.

BOL has mentioned Hill and (Dawson) Merritt as the top ‘Wolf’ targets on the Tide’s board for the last few months. It decided not to bring other targets in at the position in June with complete focus on signing one of the two. It’s been clear this staff has been nothing short of extraordinary during their time in Tuscaloosa- and proved once again not to doubt them on the recruiting trail.

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