Ex-Alabama Commit Makes Jaw-Dropping Move to Rival Team
The recruitment battle is intensifying for one of the top defensive linemen in the class of 2026, as former Alabama commit Vodney Cleveland narrows down his choices to six schools. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 305 pounds, Cleveland, a star at Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama, initially pledged to Alabama on October 31 last year but decommitted on December 16. Cleveland is ranked as the No. 3 defensive lineman, No. 3 player in Alabama, and No. 44 overall recruit (247Sports).
Now, the highly sought-after prospect has listed Georgia, Florida, Miami, Texas, North Carolina, and in-state rival Auburn as his top contenders. As a junior, Cleveland posted 50 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks for Parker. “Where’s home?” Cleveland wrote on X.
The schools vying for Cleveland are no strangers to top-tier recruiting. Georgia, Texas, and Auburn all secured top-10 high school recruiting classes in 2025, with Auburn’s class led by head coach Hugh Freeze bringing in six defenders ranked in the top 130 (On3). Georgia, under Kirby Smart, followed up with another top-two class, including five-star defensive linemen Elijah Griffin and Isaiah Gibson. Texas, with head coach Steve Sarkisian, signed two five-star defensive linemen in its No. 1 class.
Florida (No. 11) and Miami (No. 13) also bring strong recruiting momentum, while North Carolina and new head coach Bill Belichick are aiming to put together their first full class in 2026. Cleveland still has time to receive more offers and take official visits before his senior year.
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