Independence Day 2025 has past, but there are still fireworks going off in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide has picked up their 19th commitment to the Class of 2026 and twelfth pledge in the last 30 days.
Safety Jireh Edwards is the fifth 5-star to announce his intentions to sign with the Tide during this cycle.
Edwards stands at 6-2 and 205 lbs. He plays his prep ball at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, alma mater of former Tide linebacker Chris Braswell. His hometown is Upper Marlboro, Maryland which is east of Washington DC.
As a MaxPreps Junior All-American, Edwards was credited with 92 tackles (17 TFLs), 6 PBUs and 3 FFs in 2024. With stats like that, it is clear he has a nose for the ball. But if numbers are not enough, take a look at his Junior Year tape.
Edwards is a hard-hitting defender who pursues his prey with relentless force. He plays multiple spots in SFA’s secondary, but mostly stays in the box close to the line of scrimmage. He can hit the gaps as easily as defend the border. In coverage, he has excellent mirror ability plus the length and quickness to make up for any space created between him and a pass target. In essence, this dude is a what they mean when they say 5-star. He is a playmaking kind of defender that the Tide has been lacking the last couple of seasons. Edwards is very versatile player who could play most any position in Kane Wommack’s secondary.
The above video was from June of 2024, before his junior season.
Playing football for the legendary Crimson Tide program was not the only influence for Edwards. The student/academic aspect of the University of Alabama was a big factor in his decision. Much like yesterday’s Bama commit, Nolan Wilson, Jireh was influenced by more than just money and a social media presence. A month ago, Edwards told Rivals’ Chad Simmons “My decision will be about what I can do on and off the field. Who can set me up for after ball?”
Edwards took his first two Official Visits to Georgia and Auburn. His third OV was to Tuscaloosa. Following that trip on June 6-8, he canceled his remaining official visits to Texas A&M and Oregon. The writing was on the wall. Defensive Backs Coach Maurice Linguist was primary recruiter.
[SIDE NOTE: Pronounced JIE-ruh]
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
