In a stunning twist to one of the most anticipated recruitments in the 2025 class, a 5-star athlete has officially eliminated Alabama from his final two schools — just days after wrapping up an official visit to Tuscaloosa.
The elite two-way star, known for his game-breaking ability at both wide receiver and defensive back, announced on social media Tuesday night that his final two schools are now Georgia and Oregon — with Alabama nowhere to be found.
“Much love to Bama and the coaches, but I gotta follow my heart. My final two are set — I’ll be choosing soon.”
💥 What Makes This So Surprising?
The 5-star ATH — who ranks in the top 10 nationally, regardless of position — had long been considered a heavy Alabama lean, especially after multiple unofficial visits and strong ties with the coaching staff.
After his official visit to Tuscaloosa just last weekend, insiders expected the Tide to either lock in a silent commitment or at least stay in the mix.
Instead, he’s out — and the recruiting world is stunned.
🧨 Why Alabama Got Dropped
While the recruit didn’t go into full detail, sources close to the situation suggest:
- Depth chart concerns: He reportedly saw limited early playing time potential at both WR and DB.
- NIL and fit: Oregon and Georgia may have presented a clearer path to impact and compensation.
- Comfort factor: Multiple sources said his family felt “more at home” in Athens and Eugene.
A recruiting analyst told On3:
“This wasn’t about dislike for Alabama. It was about where he felt like a true game-changer, not just another piece of the puzzle.”
📉 A Rare Miss for Bama
Alabama is still very much in the mix for several other elite athletes in the 2025 cycle, but missing out on this particular 5-star stings, especially after rolling out the red carpet for him.
For a program that prides itself on closing elite visitors, being cut from the final two this late is extremely rare.
🏆 Georgia and Oregon in Final Stretch
With Alabama out, the battle now comes down to:
- Georgia: Offering a national championship-ready defense and immediate playing time as a hybrid safety/slot weapon.
- Oregon: Pitching offensive flexibility and big NIL momentum under Dan Lanning and OC Will Stein.
The commitment is expected within the next two weeks.
🧠 Final Word
Alabama may have just taken one of its biggest recruiting L’s of the 2025 cycle, while Georgia and Oregon position themselves for another elite pickup.
But the bigger message? Even the Tide can’t win every battle — especially in today’s fast-moving, NIL-fueled, fit-first recruiting world.
Recruiting shockwaves are real — and this one hit hard in Tuscaloosa.Tools
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