Alabama landed a Christmas Eve dedication from four-star 2026 defensive again Zyan Gibson on Tuesday.
Gibson, a 6-foot-1 cornerback from Gadsden, Alabama, is the No. 56 total prospect within the ESPN Junior 300 and is ranked No. 8 at his place. He selected the Crimson Tide over Tennessee, Auburn and Miami.
He’s the third-ranked prospect within the state of Alabama within the 2026 cycle. After totaling 37 tackles in his junior season at Gadsden Metropolis Excessive Faculty, he’s the primary member of the Crimson Tide’s subsequent class. He is also a former highschool teammate of Crimson Tide freshman defensive again Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., the son of former Alabama All-American and two-time nationwide champion Dre Kirkpatrick Sr., who additionally performed at Gadsden Metropolis.
Gibson’s pledge brings a jolt to a 2026 Crimson Tide class after decommitments from ESPN 300 prospects Dorian Barney (No. 73), Vodney Cleveland (No. 181) and Zykie Helton (No. 298).
Gibson’s father, Michael, performed line of defense at Ole Miss within the early 2000s. The youthful Gibson took unofficial visits to each Alabama and Tennessee this fall earlier than selecting the Crimson Tide, with defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator Maurice Linguist serving because the lead recruiter for Gibson.
The Crimson Tide are set to shut out the nation’s fourth-ranked signing class on the finish of coach Kalen DeBoer’s first cycle in cost, headlined by the addition of five-star quarterback Keelon Russell (No. 14 within the 2025 ESPN 300).
Alabama (9-3) will finish its 2024 season in opposition to Michigan within the ReliaQuest Bowl at 12 p.m. ET on Dec. 31 on ESPN.