Alabama landed a major addition to its 2022 class on Monday in four-star, weak-side defensive end Jeremiah Alexander.

There’s no question that the talent is there for the state’s top-rated player, but it’s something else that really sets Alexander apart and makes him special according to Thompson head coach Mark Freeman.

“The quality of person that he is,” Freeman told BamaOnLine of Alexander. “What’s getting away from a lot of the kids right now is that internal drive. I listened to Coach Saban, he happened to be at the same place I was Friday, and it’s like he says: there’s an element there now where it’s just not good enough for a lot people to be a team player anymore. There’s a lot of factors to that. Jeremiah, he’s got that internal drive to be great for himself and to reflect off on his teammates in a positive manner. He’s just a great, great kid from a great family. He’s got a really good head on his body, his priorities are right, and he’s just very grounded. He’s a very mature guy to be a sophomore in high school. God’s really blessed him with talent, and he’s taken the talent and not let it go to his head. He’s really a great person.”

Alexander helped the Warriors in claiming the Class 7A state title crown back in December. The new Tide pledge finished the year with 119 tackles, including 25 tackles for a loss and nine sacks.

What’s been the biggest difference from his freshman to sophomore year campaigns?

“I think maturity,” Freeman said. “That’s the biggest thing different with him right now. He’s maturity-wise like most seniors are. He’s been around here so long that he gets it. He knows what we need as far as leadership. We don’t need the guy that’s jumping on top of the lockers. We need steady people that live their life really good away from here, do the right things at school, and he’s matured into understanding that. I thank God every morning that we’re not going into his senior year (yet). Maturity-wise, he’s a very grounded, very humble kid.”

Alexander, the first pledge on board for Alabama in 2022, is rated the No. 2 weak-side defensive end and the No. 9 overall player.

He shared with BamaOnLine why he chose the Tide:

“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.”

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