Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer scored a significant recruiting win by flipping highly regarded in-state wide receiver Cedrick Simmons from Auburn, strengthening the Crimson Tide’s 2027 recruiting class while dealing a setback to one of its biggest SEC rivals.
The commitment was announced Wednesday through national recruiting insider Hayes Fawcett, ending weeks of speculation surrounding Simmons’ recruitment and delivering another major addition for Alabama’s coaching staff.
Simmons had committed to Auburn just three weeks earlier after taking an official visit to the Tigers on June 19. At the time, Auburn appeared to have won a closely contested recruiting battle despite Alabama building momentum following Simmons’ earlier visit to Tuscaloosa.
That momentum ultimately proved decisive.
After reconsidering his options, the Southside High School standout reversed his decision and pledged his future to the Crimson Tide, the program many recruiting observers believed had long been his preferred destination.
The flip represents another notable recruiting victory for DeBoer, who continues to establish himself on the recruiting trail since taking over Alabama’s program. It also comes at Auburn’s expense, intensifying the fierce rivalry between the two in-state powerhouses as they battle for top talent across Alabama.
Although Simmons is currently rated as a three-star prospect by major recruiting services, many analysts believe his ranking fails to reflect his true ability.
His production during the 2025 high school season was among the best in the nation.
Playing for Southside High School in Selma, Simmons emerged as Alabama’s most productive receiver after hauling in 106 receptions for 2,192 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns, leading the state in receiving yards while consistently producing explosive plays throughout the season.
His combination of speed, ball skills and playmaking ability quickly elevated him into one of the state’s most sought-after offensive prospects.
Recruiting analysts have compared Simmons’ evaluation to that of current Alabama receiver Lotzeir Brooks, who also entered college as a three-star recruit before exceeding expectations with an impressive freshman campaign for the Crimson Tide.
Both Alabama and Auburn entered Simmons’ recruitment relatively late.
Auburn extended a scholarship offer in late May before Alabama followed with an offer on June 1. Both programs immediately prioritized him, arranging official visits as his stock continued to rise.
Several out-of-state programs, including West Virginia and Purdue, attempted to lure Simmons away from Alabama, but it soon became evident that he preferred to remain close to home, narrowing his decision to the Crimson Tide and Tigers.
When Simmons initially committed to Auburn, the decision surprised many recruiting observers because he had grown up supporting Alabama. Auburn fans celebrated the unexpected commitment and viewed it as an important recruiting victory over their longtime rival.
The reversal now swings momentum back toward Tuscaloosa, giving Alabama one of the state’s most productive offensive weapons while denying Auburn one of its top remaining recruiting targets.
Simmons becomes the 14th commitment in Alabama’s 2027 recruiting class and the second wide receiver to join the group.
He joins four-star receiver Osani Gayles, who committed to the Crimson Tide late last month, giving Alabama an increasingly impressive collection of pass catchers for the future.
DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb continue to build a recruiting class centered around explosive offensive talent, with Simmons expected to fit well within the aggressive passing attack Alabama hopes to establish in coming seasons.
The Crimson Tide’s recruiting efforts are far from complete.
Alabama remains in pursuit of elite five-star wide receiver Monshun Sales, one of the nation’s top prospects, who is scheduled to announce his college decision on Friday. While many recruiting experts currently believe Indiana and Texas have emerged as the leading contenders, Alabama remains hopeful of pulling off another late recruiting victory.
Regardless of Sales’ decision, landing Simmons represents another important success for Alabama’s coaching staff. His elite production, proven playmaking ability and familiarity with in-state competition make him one of the more intriguing additions to the Crimson Tide’s 2027 recruiting class and another indication that DeBoer continues to strengthen Alabama’s recruiting pipeline despite intense competition from Auburn and other national programs.
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