Alabama flips 3-star safety from Rutgers

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama’s coaching staff has worked overtime in recent weeks to continue adding members to their talented 2026 recruiting class.

That was no different Tuesday when 3-star safety Rihyael Kelley announced his decision to pledge to the Crimson Tide following an official visit last weekend.

The 6-foot-3, 180 pound defensive back from Cincinnati is the No. 1,077 overall player in the country, No. 90 safeties and No. 44 among Ohio athletes.

BREAKING: Class of 2026 Safety Rihyael Kelley has Flipped from Rutgers to Alabama, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’3 185 S from Cincinnati, OH had been Committed to the Scarlet Knights since June 8th

“Nun but the Tidee… thank you ma #LANK”https://t.co/2jaGdtxCwI pic.twitter.com/dBCLt1YLWe

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 23, 2025

Kelley’s pledge three days after receiving an offer from Alabama is already his second flip decision of the offseason.

He first backed off his pledge to Toledo for Rutgers June 8 before flipping his choice on Tuesday.

What a whirlwind month but that’s just the type of landscape that has defined college football over the past five years.

His latest move comes off the heels of a breakout season which saw Kelley and the Warriors finish 10-2 in 2024.

Kelly was a force for Winton Woods’ secondary, posting 23 tackles, two interceptions and returned a fumble for a touchdown.

While his numbers alone might not tell the whole story of his recruitment, Alabama’s coaching staff ought to be thrilled about his athleticism and instinctual playmaking.

The move to Alabama also places Kelley in elite company as the Crimson Tide aim to return as contenders for the College Football Playoffs along with playing with some of the nation’s best athletes at defensive back.

Alabama finished with a disappointing 9-4 record in 2024 but return some key players in the secondary in Keon Sabb at free safety along with Domani Jackson and Zabien Brown who are expected to start at cornerback.

Last season, Alabama allowed just 182 yards passing which ranked No. 4 among SEC teams and No. 19 nationally.

As a unit, Crimson Tide defensive backs picked off 17 passes last season which ranked in the top five among FBS teams.

Kelley’s will have a chance to play multiple positions in the defensive backfield due to his 4.49 second laser-timed 40-yard dash and could also be a candidate to play at linebacker due to his versatility in coverage.

The Crimson Tide’s 10-man class ranks No. 8 among SEC teams, No. 33 nationally, according to 247sports 2026 composite recruiting rankings.

Alabama 2026 Recruiting Class

5-star CB Jordan Edmonds, 6-foot-3, 175 lbs., Sprayberry HS (Marietta, Ga.)
4-star RB Ezavier Crowell, 5-foot-11, 205 lbs., Jackson HS (Jackson, Ala.
4-star ATH Zyan Gibson, 6-foot, 174 lbs., Gadsden HS (Gadsden City, Ala.)
4-star OL Sam Utu, 6-foot-4, 320 lbs., Orange Lutheran HS (Orange, Ca.)
4-star DE Jamarion Matthews, 6-foot-2, 240 lbs., Gainesville HS (Gainesville, Ga.)
4-star QB Jeff Thomalla, 6-foot-3.5, 205 lbs., Millard South HS (Omaha, Neb.)
4-star OL Chris Booker, 6-foot-4, 285 lbs., Hapeville Charter (Atlanta, Ga.)
3-star DE Kamhariyan Johnson, 6-foot-3, 262 lbs.,  Muscle Shoals HS (Muscle Shoals, Ala.)
3-star DL JJ Finch, 6-foot-3, 260 lbs., Warren Central HS (Indianapolis)
3-star DB Rihyael Kelley, 6-foot-3, 180 lbs., Winton Woods HS (Cincinnati)