Alabama football scored its biggest class of 2026 recruiting win last week, when Jorden Edmonds committed to UA.
Edmonds is a five-star cornerback in the upcoming class, and chose the Tide over the likes of Tennessee and Georgia, with Maurice Linguist as his primary recruiter for Alabama.
Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer was asked about Linguist’s recruiting prowess on Wednesday.“He’s phenomenal,” DeBoer said. “He’s just a guy in the building, first of all, that brings just good juice and energy, and he’s a pleasure to be around.
If you’re the head coach, a staff member, and then that is certainly seen by our players and felt by our players.“And then in the recruiting process, I just think he’s attractive for a parent, for their son to want to come here and be coached, because they’re cared for, they’re loved, they’re taught at an extremely high level.
He does just such a great job in all those ways.”Linguist took over a cornerbacks group that had been decimated by the NFL Draft and transfer portal, losing Kool-Aid McKinstry, Terrion Arnold and Trey Amos among others.
DeBoer mentioned how well he felt Linguist dealt with the 2025 Crimson Tide.“We really had only one, if I remember right, one scholarship corner a year ago returning from the season before, and played a lot of young guys, new guys,” DeBoer said. “Domani (Jackson) wasn’t necessarily a freshman, but new guys to the program, and so developed confidence.
Now that room, all of a sudden, has got a high ceiling, but we’ve created a lot of depth there.”The young group at defensive back is a year older, with players like Bray Hubbard, Zabien Brown, Zay Mincey and Red Morgan set to take another step forward. Keon Sabb is back, along with Jackson, and Linguist has another talented group of freshmen to work with, including Dijon Lee and Chuck McDonald.
The 2026 recruiting class already included Gadsden City’s Zyan Gibson at corner, meaning Linguist is responsible for picking up the class’ top two prospects so far.“Tt’s personality mixed with ability and the want to,” DeBoer said of what makes Linguist successful. “He’s a guy with a lot of drive, and he’s got a high expectation, so he gets after them.
But it’s some tough love that he brings, and they appreciate that, because they want the same thing as he does, it’s to be their best.”Alabama continues spring practice through April 12’s A-Day at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
A-Day will not be a game this year, and won’t be televised, though admission is free.
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