Alabama continued its summer recruiting surge with Saturday’s commitment of five-star safety Jireh Edwards. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound defender from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore chose the Crimson Tide over Auburn, Georgia and Oregon. Edwards is rated the nation’s No. 2 safety and the No. 23 overall prospect in the ESPN 300, becoming the highest-ranked member of Alabama’s 2026 class to date. Edwards is the program’s fifth five-star pledge of the cycle, joining wide receiver Cederian Morgan, cornerback Jorden Edmonds, linebacker Xavier Griffen and running back Ezavier Crowell. Alabama also added defensive lineman Noah Wilson, the No. 6 player at his position, earlier in the week. The wave of commitments has vaulted Alabama up the national recruiting tables. The class climbed from No. 6 to No. 3 in the 247Sports composite rankings and sits No. 4 in the On3-Rivals consensus after Edwards’ announcement. Morgan set the run in motion on 2 July when the Alexander City, Alabama native—ranked the No. 2 receiver nationally and the state’s top overall prospect—picked the Crimson Tide over Florida, Georgia and Colorado. His pledge gave Alabama its fourth five-star and moved the class into the national top six before Edwards pushed it higher.