Upper Marlboro (Md.) St. Frances Academy five-star safety Jireh Edwards committed to Alabama on July 5. Six weeks later, he’s ready to fully lock in with the Crimson Tide. On Saturday morning, Edwards told Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett that his recruitment is shut down. “No such thing as an open recruitment when you’re home,” Edwards said. […]
Upper Marlboro (Md.) St. Frances Academy five-star safety Jireh Edwards committed to Alabama on July 5. Six weeks later, he’s ready to fully lock in with the Crimson Tide.
On Saturday morning, Edwards told Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett that his recruitment is shut down.
“No such thing as an open recruitment when you’re home,” Edwards said.
The 6-foot-1.5, 205-pounder began to trend toward Tuscaloosa heading into the summer. Auburn, Georgia, Oregon and Florida were also in the mix, but Edwards was blown away after his official visit to Alabama in early June. He then set a commitment date and joined the Tide’s pledge list a month later.
“Just the culture,” Edwards told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong about why he chose Bama. “The culture really stood out for me. Them producing the guys they produced already and seeing them do so well in the league.”
“The way they brought my family in with open arms,” he added. “They love my family. I feel that’s perfect. They did stuff other schools didn’t do. They welcomed me with warm hugs and all that other stuff.”
Edwards is the No. 16 overall prospect and No. 2 safety in the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 3 player in Maryland.
He headlines Alabama’s elite recruiting class alongside three other five-star prospects: Gainesville (Ga.) linebacker Xavier Griffin, Alexander City (Ala.) Benjamin Russell wide receiver Cederian Morgan and Marietta (Ga.) Sprayberry cornerback Jorden Edmonds. An additional five top-100 recruits are in the class, too, propelling the Tide to the No. 7 spot in the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings to date.
“I feel (everyone) is not giving Alabama the attention we deserve but best believe when this ‘26 class gets on campus we’re going to turn a lot of people’s heads and win this natty,” Edwards told Rivals’ Adam Gorney on Tuesday.
Now fully locked in with Alabama, Edwards is shifting gears as his senior campaign gets underway at St. Frances Academy this month. The Panthers enter the year as the No. 4 team in the nation, per the Rivals Composite Rankings. Their roster features 19 ranked prospects, headlined by Edwards and 2026 No. 1 overall prospect Zion Elee, a Maryland EDGE commit. Earlier this week, Edwards was tabbed a Rivals Preseason High School All-American.
St. Frances Academy will begin its 2025 season next weekend on Saturday, Aug. 23 in a national clash against Florida powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna Prep. The game will kickoff at 8 p.m. ET and will air on ESPN2.
Category: General Sports
