



There’s no doubt about where Alabama sits for Tunmise Adeleye coming off a visit to Tuscaloosa.

“At the very top,” the 2021 four-star defensive end told BamaOnLine of the Tide’s standing in comparison to over two dozen other offers. “Alabama’s been at the top for a while, but after the visit yesterday I don’t see them going anywhere for the foreseeable future. They solidified themselves at the top.”

The Katy (Texas) Tompkins product spent Saturday on campus, his second visit to the Capstone so far in his recruitment.

“Alabama is a place where they have an atmosphere of excellence. Everything there, everybody there wants to be excellent,” Adeleye said. “From the nutritionist, to the academic staff, to Coach (Nick) Saban, the coaches, the players, everyone there embodies excellence. From the classroom, to the weightlifting program, to the field, everyone wants to be excellent. I want to be at a place where people embody that and they want not just the football player to succeed, but the person and the man to succeed.”

College coaches can’t reach out to the 2021 class until Sept 1. However, recruits at any level can call coaches on their own whenever they want. Adeleye calls Jeff Banks, his area recruiter, every day.

“He’s an adult, but he knows how to have fun, and he knows how to relate to the kids,” Adeleye said of his bond with the Tide assistant. “He knows the Houston area, he knows where I’m coming from, he knows the type of person I am and can relate with me really well.”

For top targets, no visit to Alabama is complete without a meeting with Saban.

“His message was don’t change who I am, continue to strive to perfect my craft,” Adeleye said. “He was really just talking about how he’s not really worried about the football aspect. He’s worried about developing character, developing the man, and the football will come with it.”

With the Tide firmly atop his list. Did committing to Alabama cross the Top50 defensive lineman’s mind?

“I thought about it, but I just want to get back with my mom, talk it over with my mom and my sisters,” Adeleye said. “My dad, he really likes Alabama. We just want to talk about it as a family and go from there.”

At 6-foot-3, 260 pounds, Adeleye is rated the no. 6 strong-side defensive end and the No. 48 overall player in the country, per 247Sports.