5-Star Safety Jireh Edwards Commits to Alabama Over Oregon, Auburn, More

Jireh Edwards, a class of 2026 5-star safety out of Baltimore's St. Frances Academy, has chosen to play college football at Alabama, per comments made to Hayes Fawcett of Rivals and On3.

The 6'2", 194-pound Edwards was down to Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, Auburn, Florida and Texas A&M, per comments to Fawcett.

Edwards ranks highly on all the major recruiting websites. He's 26th overall (third among safeties) on the 247Sports list and 19th overall (second among safeties) on On3's Industry list. ESPN has him 23rd overall and second on safeties.

He ranks the highest on Rivals at No. 15 overall and first on the safety list.

Andrew Ivins of 247Sports provided a scouting report on Edwards on Jan. 2, 2025, writing in part:

"Overall, projects as an all-around defensive playmaker that can make an impact on Saturdays and then possibly Sundays with his physicality and athleticism. Likely to keep the tag of safety, but should really be viewed as a chess piece that can be moved all around in an era where position lines continue to blur."

He was compared to then-Georgia safety Malaki Starks, who the Baltimore Ravens selected 27th overall (first round) in the NFL draft this year.

Edwards can certainly be a first-round pick someday. He's come to the right place in Alabama, a pipeline for NFL prospects. In particular, defensive backs have found NFL homes after heading to 'Bama, including reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II, 2024 All-Pro Xavier McKinney and 2024 Pro Bowler Brian Branch.

He also joins a loaded Alabama class of 2026 that has five 5-star prospects.

Following Edwards' commitment, Alabama notably ranks fourth on On3's class of 2026 rankings, behind only USC, Georgia and Notre Dame.