CB Gibson, No. 56 recruit for ’26, commits to Tide

Alabama landed a Christmas Eve commitment from four-star 2026 defensive back Zyan Gibson on Tuesday.

Gibson, a 6-foot-1 cornerback from Gadsden, Alabama, is the No. 56 overall prospect in the ESPN Junior 300 and is ranked No. 8 at his position. He chose the Crimson Tide over Tennessee, Auburn and Miami.

He is the third-ranked prospect in the state of Alabama in the 2026 cycle. After totaling 37 tackles in his junior season at Gadsden City High School, he is the first member of the Crimson Tide’s next class. He also is a former high school teammate of Crimson Tide freshman defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., the son of former Alabama All-American and two-time national champion Dre Kirkpatrick Sr., who also played at Gadsden City.

Gibson’s pledge brings a jolt to a 2026 Crimson Tide class after decommitments from ESPN 300 prospects Dorian Barney (No. 73), Vodney Cleveland (No. 181) and Zykie Helton (No. 298).

Gibson’s father, Michael, played defensive line at Ole Miss in the early 2000s. The younger Gibson took unofficial visits to both Alabama and Tennessee this fall before picking the Crimson Tide, with defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator Maurice Linguist serving as the lead recruiter for Gibson.

The Crimson Tide are set to close out the nation’s fourth-ranked signing class at the end of coach Kalen DeBoer’s first cycle in charge, headlined by the addition of five-star quarterback Keelon Russell (No. 14 in the 2025 ESPN 300).

Alabama (9-3) will end its 2024 season against Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl at 12 p.m. ET on Dec. 31 on ESPN.