Alabama football loses 2026 DL in-state commitment. What to know

Posted by author December 17, 2024 Football

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Alabama football has lost its only member of the 2026 recruiting class.

Vodney Cleveland, a four-star defensive lineman out of Parker High School in Birmingham, told On3 Monday he was ending his commitment to the Crimson Tide. Cleveland later confirmed the news on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Please respect my decision,” Cleveland wrote.

Cleveland, the No. 91 player and No. 9 defensive lineman nationally, and the No. 6 prospect in Alabama, committed to the Crimson Tide on Oct. 31.

“Every time I go, it just feels like home,” Cleveland told the Tuscaloosa News on Nov. 19. “Of course, the D-line coach, Freddie Roach, he’s a great guy. Love him to death. I feel like he’s going to develop me into a great defensive lineman.”

Cleveland is the fourth player in the 2026 class to retract commitments to Alabama, joining Georgia four-star cornerback Dorian Barney, Georgia four-star offensive lineman Zykie Helton and Alabama four-star safety Jamarrion Gordon.

Alabama has three commitments in the 2027 class: four-star defensive end Jabarrius Garror, four-star defensive end Ba’Roc Willis and athlete Alexander Ward.

Alabama had two in-state commits in the 2025 class: four-star offensive lineman Micah DeBose and three-star offensive lineman Mal Waldrep.

At his early signing day press conference, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer shared the Crimson Tide’s plan for in-state recruiting.

“As we continue to emphasize and really focus on the relationships we’re building in-state, and in the region as well … every year we’ll continue to just grow, build trust,” DeBoer said. “I think the season that we went through will only continue to help these in-state high school coaches believe in us that the tradition will continue.”

Alabama will have to start from scratch again in the 2026 recruiting class.

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.