Crimson Tide keep hometown linebacker after Friday commitment

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Just one week after his official visit at his hometown school, Hillcrest High School 3-star linebacker Zay Hall announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide.

Hall first attended a camp at Alabama earlier this summer which led to an offer from the Alabama coaching staff June 11.

BREAKING: Class of 2026 LB Zay Hall has Committed to Alabama, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’3 215 LB from Tuscaloosa, AL chose the Crimson Tide over Virginia Tech, Memphis, & JMU

“AGTG, Came Up Outta Dat Dirt Pile Now I’m Ballin“ https://t.co/Ie88FQhj1p pic.twitter.com/91Q3Lf5nau

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 27, 2025

The 6-foot-2.5, 222 pound linebacker made a return trip across town for an official visit at Alabama less than one week later, confirming his intention to pursue his dream of playing inside Bryant-Denney Stadium.

Hall is commitment No. 13 for second-year coach Kalen DeBoer, who’s built a solid recruiting class top to bottom that ranks No. 11 nationally and No. 4 among SEC teams.

The addition of Hall is just fourth player from inside the Yellow Hammer State with several others expected to make decisions in the upcoming weeks.

Hall is the No. 1,448 ranked player in the 2026 class, No. 127 among linebackers and No. 55 inside Alabama, according to 247sports.

Virginia Tech was his only other Power Four offer but Alabama, Mississippi State and Maryland expressed interest.

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 ATH Mack Sutter, 6-foot-5, 230 lbs., Dunlap HS (Dunlap, Ill.)
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 (Cincinnati)
3-star RB Javari Barnett, 5-foot-11.5, Tampa Bay Tech (Tampa, Fla.)
3-star LB Zay Hall, 6-foot-2.5, 222 lbs., Hillcrest HS (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)