ESPN: No. 1 American Football Player Commits to Alabama Crimson Tide Over Tennessee, BYU and Auburn
In a major recruiting coup, the Alabama Crimson Tide have landed the nationโs No. 1 overall football recruit, according to ESPN. Five-star quarterback phenom Derrick โDJโ Wallace, a generational talent out of Houston, Texas, announced his commitment to Alabama on Monday afternoon, choosing the Crimson Tide over Tennessee, BYU, and Auburn.
Wallace, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound dual-threat quarterback, has been the most sought-after player in the 2025 recruiting class. His decision comes after months of speculation and official visits to all four finalist programs. Ultimately, the allure of Alabamaโs storied history, development pipeline, and new-look offense under head coach Kalen DeBoer sealed the deal.
โI grew up watching Alabama dominate Saturdays,โ Wallace said in a live interview with ESPN. โTheir tradition, their discipline, and the way they prepare quarterbacks for the next level โ thatโs what I want to be part of.โ
Wallace has drawn comparisons to NFL stars like Patrick Mahomes and Caleb Williams, thanks to his rocket arm, elite mobility, and football IQ. In his junior season at North Shore High School, Wallace threw for over 3,800 yards and 42 touchdowns while rushing for 1,100 more and 17 scores on the ground.
Tennessee had made a strong late push, with head coach Josh Heupel personally visiting Wallace three times in the past month. BYUโs family-oriented approach and Auburnโs NIL package were also considered contenders.
Still, Alabamaโs consistency in producing NFL quarterbacks and competing for national titles tipped the scales. Wallace is expected to compete for the starting job as early as his freshman year.
With Wallace now in the fold, Alabamaโs 2025 recruiting class jumps to No. 1 nationally. The Tideโs future, once questioned following Nick Sabanโs retirement, suddenly looks brighter than ever.
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