The state’s top prospect has rejoined the Alabama 2022 recruiting class.
Thompson linebacker Jeremiah Alexander committed to the Crimson Tide again – this time on his mother’s birthday — Thursday afternoon.
Alexander released a commitment video on his Instagram account.
The 6-foot-2, 235-pound senior chose Alabama over Clemson, Georgia, UCF and many other offers. He was previously committed to Nick Saban’s team but decommitted during the Warriors Class 7A state title run last fall.
“At the end of the day, I think he was going to Alabama the whole time,” Thompson coach Mark Freeman said. “It’s close to home, and it’s a great program known for putting guys in the NFL, especially defensive guys. Obviously, it’s a good fit.”
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Alexander, a 5-star prospect, is the reigning Class 7A Lineman of the Year. He helped Thompson to its second straight state title in 2020, racking up 106 total tackles, including 29 tackles-for-loss, and eight sacks. As a sophomore, he finished with 118 tackles, including 25 for a loss, and 8.5 sacks.
“Alexander is not just the top recruit in the state this year, he’s been the best player in the state for three years,” said Randy Kennedy, program director/host for Sports Talk 99.5 FM in Mobile and AL.com recruiting analyst. “He proved that in the 2019 Class 7A state championship game when he was dominant in a win over Central-Phenix City.
“That Central team had two elite senior offensive tackles (Alabama signee Javion Cohen and Kentucky signee Joshua Jones). Even as a sophomore, Alexander was clearly the best player on the field. He could probably be a star player at inside linebacker. But his explosiveness makes him a natural as an edge rusher.”
Thompson defensive coordinator Shawn DeFoor said Alexander has been on a mission since last spring and has had maybe his best offseason this summer.
“Jeremiah is different,” DeFoor said. “I don’t think much bothers him. He just has that personality. He’s very mature for his age, and that goes back to his parents. They did a very good job with him. He’s like a rock. He’s goofy, but I love him.”
Freeman said he could see Alexander making a quick impact in Tuscaloosa.
“He’s big, physical and plays with great leverage,” Freeman said. “He’s also explosive and strong. I think he will help them out somewhere immediately.”
Freeman said Alabama — as Kennedy indicated — likely will first look at Alexander as an edge rusher.
“Who knows what his body will do at this point,” he said. “He could play inside linebacker if he needed to, but I think he’s an edge guy. He’s so explosive at the line of scrimmage. He’ll do well at the college level because he is so strong.”
Alexander is the 10th commitment in Alabama’s Class of 2022 and the fourth in-state recruit. He joins Geneva County running back Emmanuel Henderson, Williamson linebacker Robert Woodyard and Anniston defensive back Antonio Kite.
He is the second Thompson senior to commit this week. Quarterback Conner Harrell committed to North Carolina on Sunday.
Alexander is the No. 16 overall recruit in the nation and is No. 1 at his position. He is the No. 11 recruit on ESPN’s list of the top 300 prospects in the nation.
