Although the Alabama Crimson Tide officially began spring practice this week, their recruiting efforts remained as active as ever. Alabama added six more top prospects to their list of upcoming visitors, all from the 2026 recruiting class.
Tom Loy of 247Sports reported that two of these prospects are 4-star recruits: safety Kaiden Hall and edge rusher Zavion Griffin-Haynes. Hall is set to visit Tuscaloosa on March 18, though Griffin-Haynes’ visit date has yet to be determined.
Hall, a native of Milton, Florida, is 6-foot-3 and weighs 195 pounds, making him an ideal fit for the safety position. His long arms allow him to effectively break up passes and bring down ball carriers in the open field. According to 247Sports’ composite rankings, he is the No. 10 safety in the nation and the No. 17 overall recruit in Florida.
In November 2024, Hall listed Alabama as one of his top ten schools.
Griffin-Haynes, an edge rusher from Rolesville, North Carolina, is a formidable defensive player standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 235 pounds. His rare combination of height and fluidity off the edge makes him a unique prospect. While his stats were somewhat modest in 2024—28 total tackles, 4.0 TFLs, and half a sack—his potential remains incredibly high due to his length and athleticism.
On3’s Chad Simmons reported that 4-star recruit Derek Cooper has scheduled a visit to Tuscaloosa for June 9th. Although some recruiting services, like On3, list Cooper as a running back, he plays on both sides of the ball for the Chaminade-Madonna Lions in Hollywood, Florida, showcasing his versatility as a dynamic playmaker wherever he lines up.
In 2024, Cooper wrapped up his junior season with nearly 1,100 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns, while also posting impressive defensive numbers: 46 total tackles, 10 TFLs, 4.0 sacks, an interception, and two forced fumbles. It’s clear that Cooper is a versatile and dynamic playmaker who can impact the game on both sides of the ball.
Next up is Trenton Henderson, a 4-star edge rusher who recently listed Alabama as one of his final choices. Henderson announced on social media that he will be visiting Tuscaloosa for an official visit from June 6th to 8th.
Hailing from Pensacola, Florida, Trenton Henderson is ranked by 247Sports‘ composite ranking as the No. 9 edge rusher in the country and the No. 10 overall player in Florida. Over his three years at Pensacola Catholic, he has racked up 90 total tackles, 23 TFLs, and 14.0 sacks. Additionally, Henderson has proven to be a disruptive force in other areas, with eight pass deflections and three forced fumbles to his credit.
Similarly, 4-star prospect Zykie Helton has followed Henderson’s lead, announcing his upcoming visit to Tuscaloosa on social media. Helton is scheduled to be in town from June 20th through the 22nd.
Zykie Helton is ranked by 247Sports‘ composite ranking as the No. 36 interior lineman in the nation and the No. 46 overall player in Georgia. Playing for the Carrollton Trojans, he helped lead the team to a 14-1 record in 2024, securing a spot in the state championship.
Finally, Elijah Golden, a 4-star defensive lineman from Cardinal Mooney High School in Sarasota, Florida, shared on social media that he has two upcoming visits to Tuscaloosa. He will be in town during the spring period on March 22nd and will return for another visit on April 4th.
Elijah Golden stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 260 pounds, making him one of the top defensive line prospects in the 2026 class. With over 30 scholarship offers, many from power-five programs, Golden had an impressive junior season, finishing with over 60 total tackles, 29.0 TFLs, 10.0 sacks, and a pass deflection.
As for Alabama, the Crimson Tide currently sits at No. 34 in the national recruiting rankings according to 247Sports. Although it has been a slower start for Alabama’s 2026 class, head coach Kalen DeBoer and his staff have started to build momentum in recent weeks and are expected to have a strong spring and summer.
Here are some of Alabama’s 2026 football commits:
- CB Zyan Gibson (5-foot-11, 177 lbs.) from Gadsden, Alabama (Committed 12/24/2024)
- EDGE Jamarion Matthews (6-foot-2, 240 lbs.) from Gainesville, Georgia (Committed 02/21/2025)
- OL Chris Booker (6-foot-4, 285 lbs.) from Atlanta, Georgia (Committed 02/20/2025)
For the latest updates on the 2025 recruiting class and more, check out the Alabama football recruiting tracker.
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