Thompson head coach Mark Freeman couldn’t have any higher praise for sophomore defensive end Jeremiah Alexander.

“He’s in line to be an NFL player one day,” Freeman said. “No doubt.”

That’s good news for Nick Saban and the Alabama coaching staff.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Alexander committed to the Crimson Tide on Monday. He is the No. 1 recruit in the state in the Class of 2022 and the No. 9 recruit in the nation, according to the 247 composite rankings.

“He is the definition of a football player,” Warriors defensive coordinator Shawn DeFoor said of Alexander. “He can stand up, go down, rush the passer, and he’s still a young guy so he has a lot of football ahead of him. If he keeps maturing on the track he is on right now, he will be an All-American.”

Alexander led Thompson to the Class 7A state championship last fall. He finished with 118 tackles, including 25 for a loss, and 8.5 sacks. He also had a pair of interceptions and was a first-team All-State and AL.com All-Birmingham selection. He also was one of three finalists for Class 7A Lineman of the Year.

“His instincts are great,” Freeman said. “He has the ability to play physical and to use his hands. He gets off blocks really well. He is kind of that old school, physical type football player. He’s also a really good teammate.”

Alexander, currently rated as a 4-star prospect, said he had been debating between Alabama and SEC rival Georgia for the past several months.

“It really just came down to what was the best fit for me and my family,” he said. “I would have gone out of state. That didn’t bother me, but Alabama just felt like a real home to me. I felt a different vibe there than anywhere else I visited.”

Alexander said, though he knew it was early in his high school career to make a decision, he wanted to go ahead and commit so he could concentrate on the Warriors this summer. He did not rule out taking other visits but also said that proved to be a distraction last fall.

“Last year, I went to Clemson and to some other places, and it was just tiring to get back and get ready to get prepared for the game that week,” he said. “I feel like once you know where your heart is, you might as well go ahead and make a commitment.”

Freeman echoed that thought, re-iterating what other high school coaches across the state have said recently about the recruiting calendar moving up with the addition of the early signing day and now the transfer portal.

“Recruiting has changed so much,” he said. “I tell my guys if they are ready to commit and feel good about it, go ahead and do it. I talked to Jeremiah for an hour Sunday night and again Monday morning. He and his family prayed about the decision. He felt it was right in his heart, so I was good with that.”

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Freeman described Alexander as “self-rooted and motivated.”

“For me, he is like a young coach who still has playing eligibility,” Freeman said. “He has matured so much already, and his work ethic is so good. We tell our guys to be leaders when no one else is around, and Jeremiah exemplifies that.”

With two more years left at Thompson, just how good can Alexander become?

“Wow,” DeFoor said. “He can be as good as he wants to be, and he has the drive to get there.”