Alabama lands prime 100 DL Vodney Cleveland within the class of 2026
The extra issues change the extra they keep the identical.
Alabama, which holds the No. 2 recruiting class within the 2025 cycle, has picked up a blue-chip recruit within the 2026 class following the announcement of Vodney Cleveland on Thursday night.
The Birmingham (Ala.) Parker standout is a prime 10 inside defensive lineman within the junior class, notching an accomplishment for Kalen DeBoer. The 2025 group has but to land a blue-chip pledge amongst inside projections regardless of its lofty total rating.
However after internet hosting Cleveland greater than some other program, UA earns the verbal dedication on Nick Saban’s birthday of all days.
Cleveland is the second dedication for the Crimson Tide in 2026, becoming a member of Peach State defensive again Dorian Barney, and the primary in-state expertise to select this system.
“He is gotten so a lot better,” Parker head coach Frank Warren advised Rivals. “He’s a lottery choose if he retains getting higher.”
What it Means
Cleveland is a big pickup, particularly throughout the common season, because the 2026 class swiftly sees many elite prospects electing to return off the board considerably early. The massive defensive deal with committing marks the third top-five expertise within the Yellowhammer State to have come off the board already, and the primary for the Crimson Tide. Rival Auburn has a trio of top-12 recruits already dedicated within the junior class.
The win additionally reemphasizes the traditional Alabama maintain within the Birmingham space, the place the proximity to Tuscaloosa is at all times a plus for UA. Nonetheless, the expertise pool is unfold out within the state for the junior class, led by No. 1 recruit and five-star Anthony Jones out of Cell (Ala.) St. Paul’s Episcopal. Whereas entertaining ACC packages on a nationwide supply checklist, most anticipate ‘Tank’ to finish up at one of many Iron Bowl rivals. Till Thursday night time, Alabama’s angle couldn’t embrace peer recruiting from a possible fellow in-state dedication.
Individually, Cleveland to ‘Bama checks a field in notion, too. With the employees not securing a highly-rated defensive deal with within the 2025 cycle, an early win on the place can be seen as practically ideally suited regardless of how a lot time stays for the category of 2026.
What Cleveland brings to ‘Bama
The junior burst onto the scene as a sophomore in 2023, whereas at Prattville (Ala.) Excessive College, rising as a transparent reduce SEC expertise in a state recognized for producing a lot alongside the defensive entrance. In seeing him throughout the offseason via an in-season look again in September, it is clear that Cleveland has upped his regiment together with his highschool coaches and personal trainers alike. As he continues to trim an enormous body, his recreation will solely be seen with that a lot of a better ceiling.
On the floor, although, the most recent Crimson Tide dedication brings loads of energy to the purpose of assault, working with a comparatively excessive motor and plus leverage whereas carrying greater than 300 kilos. He additionally shows requisite size, not solely permitting for separation from opposing blockers, however maximizing a deal with radius whereas working downhill as illustrated within the nationally-televised recreation in opposition to Carrollton (Ga.) Excessive College.
Cleveland’s energy is not simply obvious within the wash, it additionally exhibits up when he reaches the ball provider, usually emphatically. There may be additionally sneaky athleticism on this huge man’s recreation, tangible not solely as he diagnoses performs whereas shedding blocks, but additionally his redirection potential thereafter. Because the junior continues to reshape his physique and inch nearer to his ceiling, Cleveland seems like a real inside expertise who may doubtlessly occupy a number of gaps in an SEC scheme.
