Commitment No. 1 is in for Alabama in the class of 2022 as Nick Saban and company landed four-star weak-side defensive end Jeremiah Alexander on Monday afternoon, the Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson product announced on Twitter. The state’s top-ranked player chose the Crimson Tide over Georgia and LSU after returning home from a Junior Day visit last weekend where he named the Tide his leader.

“Really coming into this offseason, I really wanted to get it out of the way so junior and senior years can just be straight Thompson football,” Alexander told BamaOnLine. “When I made my top three it was really just between those three, and Georgia and Alabama were the ones really recruiting me. I feel like at this point it’s where I feel at home. It’s where me and my parents feel what’s best for me. Each coach at Alabama has a relationship with me and my parents. I just feel like it’s the best fit for me.”

Alexander is coming off a sensational sophomore year campaign, helping the Warriors to a Class 7A state championship victory. The 6-foot-2, 222-pounder amassed 119 tackles, including 25 tackles for a loss, and nine sacks. He also had a pick-six on the year.

It’s the Tide’s ace recruiter Karl Scott that led the charge for Alexander. He along with outside linebackers coach Sal Sunseri are credited with the addition.

“He’s a real cool guy,” Alexander said of Scott. “I feel like me and him have a really good relationship. He’s really cool. He gets me and I can get him easy. Coach Sunseri, me and him spent a lot of quality time with each other.”

A big development that occurred over the weekend was Alexander’s father had the opportunity to spend time with Nick Saban, which essentially checked all the boxes for Alabama.

“Coach Saban, he was talking to my dad about what I would major in when I get to college,” Alexander said. “It was a good experience. My dad, he’s been to Bama before but I don’t think he’s ever been in Saban’s office. Most of the time my mom took me. He got to sit down with Saban and talk. So now both my parents have been to talk to Saban. It’s pretty good.”

With the addition of Alexander, not only does the Crimson Tide now have an in-state leader for its 2022 recruiting efforts, but also a strong head start on the cycle when the 247Sports Composite Team Recruiting Rankings are adjusted. The only teams with commitments in the class thus far are LSU, Florida State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Iowa, and USC, the Tigers holding the most pledges with two.

Alexander is rated the No. 2 weak-side defensive end and the No. 9 player in the nation, per 247Sports.

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