Tide gain second commitment of day in 4-star athlete

Sutter’s decision capped a whirlwind spring and early summer.

His journey began with an in-person offer from tight ends coach Bryan Ellis during a trip to Tuscaloosa in last spring.

The Crimson Tide staff never let up as Sutter returned for the Georgia game and then for the Iron Bowl last fall last season.

He would visit once again during March for spring practice, showing continual interest in second year coach Kalen DeBoer’s offernse.

Along with trips to Alabama, Ellis made sure to make multiple stops to Dunlap in order to build a rapport with Sutter and his family.

That Midwestern connection with DeBoer, who grew up in South Dakota and climbed the coaching ladder in the region, was a subtle but meaningful factor for Sutter.

The sense that he’d be both valued and understood in Tuscaloosa helped Alabama stand out among the blue bloods chasing the four-star tight end.

Sutter has an exceptional blend of size, athleticism, speed and versatility which turned him into a regional star into a him into a national recruit.

He is the No. 80 overall prospect for the class of 2026, No. 6 among tight ends and No. 1 player in Illinois, per 247Sports.

As a junior, Sutter caught 35 passes for 505 yards and seven touchdowns at tight end while also taing snaps at quarterback, wide receiver, edge rusher and linebacker.

He also completed six passes for 119 yards, tallied 36 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, and six sacks, with a pick-six and two forced fumbles.

“Sutter is a dynamic athlete who can create effortless separation before the catch and climb the ladder at the catch point.

Immense production on both sides of the ball at the IHSA 6A level, receiving snaps at QB, WR, TE, EDGE, and LB.

Above-the-rim finisher on the basketball court, which directly translates to playmaking ability in contested catch situations.

Defensive snaps are good enough that he could reasonably continue his career as an edge rusher at the next level.

Encouraging moments in limited reps as a blocker, along with his physical play on defense offer plenty of long-term promise as he works more in an attached role on Saturdays.

Displays good body control and will make grabs at the edge of his catch radius. Makes defenders miss in a variety of ways after the catch and will finish plays with physicality.

Should be viewed as a multi-faceted offensive weapon who can move around the formation in 11 and 12 personnel sets and feast in the redzone. Owns immense NFL Draft upside and could spark an offense for a CFP contender.” -Hudson Standish, 247sports national analyst

That versatility is exactly what Alabama’s new offensive regime seems to covet.

Under Kalen DeBoer and Bryan Ellis, the Tide have made a point of involving tight ends in creative ways, moving them around in 11 and 12 personnel looks and feasting in the red zone.

Sutter’s arrival is likely to continue a trend that’s seen Alabama tight ends become more prominent in the passing game, which is a shift from earlier eras when the position was often an afterthought.

Sutter joins a tight end room that’s seen rapid change.

He’s the first tight end commit for Alabama in 2025, following on the heels of high school prospects Marshall Pritchett and Kaleb Edwards. His commitment came within an hour of Alabama landing running back Ezavier Crowell which helps the Crimson Tide gain a load of steam heading into the fall.

As the 2025 cycle unfolds, Alabama’s recruiting class is beginning to take shape around athletic, versatile players like Sutter.

His addition also signals the program’s ability to continue pulling top prospects from outside the Southeast, forging a national footprint without legendary coach Nick Saban at the helm.