Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., follows in his father's footsteps to Alabama

Dre Kirkpatrick Sr., had a memorable moment when he announced his commitment to the University of Alabama on February 5, 2009. The former No. 1 cornerback in the country was part of Nick Saban’s third recruiting class at Alabama. His son, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., committed to Alabama on Friday evening. He joins class No. 18 for Coach Saban during his tenure in Tuscaloosa.

“It’s a good opportunity,” Kirkpatrick told BamaOnLine. “They know how to win. It’s just a good opportunity to go to the NFL. They definitely produce a lot of DBs. They could take me to the next level.”

The defensive back production has been remarkable during Coach Saban’s time at Alabama which included his father who is a former first round draft pick, No. 17 overall. The Crimson Tide also recently had four former DBs in the 2023 NFL Top 100: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Patrick Surtain II, Trevon Diggs and Marlon Humphrey.

“It’ll be cool to tell my kids or anybody in my family that I got coached by one of the greatest coaches to ever do it,” Kirkpatrick said of being coached by Nick Saban. “That will be cool to say.

“Coach Saban told me to continue on with what I’m doing,” the new Alabama commitment said in a recent interview with BOL. “I’m on the right path. Don’t change anything I’m doing. Just work on me as a player and as a person. Just better myself. He said I’m real physical, naturally gifted, and all he was waiting on was to see him with his own eyes.”

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First Saban-era legacy recruit at Alabama

Kirkpatrick had a top four which consisted of Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn and Missouri. He ultimately chose Alabama over Mizzou. The Tigers of the (SEC) East considered Kirkpatrick as one of its top targets. There was some confidence this week in Columbia of Kirkpatrick spurning the home state school.

Alabama recently started its pursuit of the first Saban-era legacy recruit after earning an offer from the seven-time national championship head coach on July 25. Kirkpatrick spent the last few months recovering from a sports hernia surgery, and was cleared to compete in the Tide’s final camp.

He was joined by his father, Dre Sr., during his work-out in Tuscaloosa. He measured 5-foot-10.5, 198-pounds and clocked in the 4.6-range. The Gadsden City star had 69 tackles, interceptions and 16 pass break-ups during his junior season.

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Creating his own legacy

Kirkpatrick plays a different role than his father in the secondary- and though Dre Sr., played in the NFL for the majority of his life- he was still instrumental in the recruiting process.

“He knows how this whole process goes, so he’s been giving me tips and details and things I should think about with each school,” Kirkpatrick on his dad. “That definitely helped me because if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t say I wouldn’t do the right thing, but he helps me do the right things.”

“I always try not to compare myself to my dad because we’re totally different players,” Kirkpatrick recently told BOL. “At the age I am, I’m way bigger than he was in college. He was a speedy, lanky, cover corner; real good in man. I feel like I’m more aggressive. I can play over the top or down at safety. I’m not scared to hit. Just a lot of stuff that’s different.”

Kirkpatrick Jr., is commitment No. 18 for Alabama in its 2024 recruiting class. He joins an outstanding DB group which also includes Jaylen Mbakwe, five-star CB from Clay-Chalkville High School (Ala.), Zabien Brown, Top 100 CB from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana (Calif.), Peyton Woodyard, Top 100 S from St. John Bosco in Bellflower (Calif.), Jameer Grimsley, Top 100 CB from Tampa (Fla.) Catholic and Red Morgan, three-star S from Central High School in Phenix City (Ala.).

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