Five-Star Safety Jireh Edwards Signs With Alabama

The Alabama Crimson Tide has officially signed its highest-rated defensive back in the 2026 recruiting class, with five-star safety Jireh Edwards signing with the Alabama Crimson Tide on Early Signing Day on Wednesday.

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Edwards, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound safety from St. Frances Academy in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, committed to Alabama on July 5, 2025. He is ranked as the No. 21 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class, the No. 1 safety, and the No. 3 player in the state of Maryland, according to Rivals.

In 2024, as a junior at St. Frances Academy, Edwards was credited with 92 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, six pass breakups, and three forced fumbles. 247 Sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins said in his scouting evaluation that Edwards reminds him of former first-round pick Malaki Starks at safety.

"Punishing defender that should offer some alignment flexibility at his next stop as he can spin down into the box or patrol from the border. Owns a college-ready build with some promising features and tested off the charts spring before junior year. Spent much of his 11th-grade campaign deployed as an oversized slot and did nothing but make plays for one of the nation’s top prep defenses. Triggers downhill in the snap of a finger and frequently arrives with violence. Comfortable crashing gaps, but is also effective in the alley as he uses sharp angles to get ball carriers on the ground. Instinctive in coverage and can match and mirror underneath routes with his lateral agility. Will take some chances when defending the pass, but unsuspecting length can bail him out. A bit older for the grade, but that should have him on the field sooner rather than later. Overall, projects as an all-around defensive playmaker that can make an impact on Saturdays and then possibly Sundays with his physicality and athleticism. Likely to keep the tag of safety, but should really be viewed as a chess piece that can be moved all around in an era where position lines continue to blur."

Want to keep up with all of Alabama's signees in the 2026 recruiting class? 

Check out our 2026 Early Signing Day tracker!

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.