Last weekend, Alabama football lost 2024 five-star wide receiver Perry Thompson to rival Auburn. One week later, the Crimson Tide have replenished that position with the commitment of another blue-chip recruit.
Former Tennessee baseball commit Amari Jefferson announced his decision to flip to Alabama on Saturday afternoon via On3’s YouTube channel in a move that could be big for Alabama’s football and baseball programs. Here’s what you need to know:
- Jefferson, listed at 6-feet and 200 pounds, is a Chattanooga, Tennessee native and is a four-star prospect according to On3’s composite rankings.
- He’s been committed to Tennessee’s baseball program for two years but made a “football decision” committing to Alabama. However, he’s expected to pursue both sports at Alabama.
- Jefferson is the second wide receiver commitment in this class joining four-star Rico Scott and is the 15th overall.
- With Jefferson’s commitment, Alabama continues to strengthen its 2024 class, which is ranked in the Top 5 by both On3 and 247sports.
What it means for Alabama
Alabama is getting somewhat of a late bloomer in Jefferson, who didn’t make the decision to seriously consider prioritizing football until after a breakout junior season of 72 catches for 1,370 yards and 17 touchdowns. The Crimson Tide offered Jefferson this spring and hosted him on several visits, including the final visit before his decision last weekend. Position coach Holmon Wiggins and tight ends coach Joe Cox deserve credit for building a relationship quickly and selling Jefferson on the development at receiver.
Jefferson’s a do-it-all weapon for his Baylor High School team. The ball’s put in his hands in a multitude of ways: at outside receiver, in the slot, on sweep plays, reverses and more. His most dynamic attribute is yards after catch, he frequently turns routine plays into long gains and touchdowns.
He has good but not elite downfield speed as a vertical threat but does a good job of tracking the ball in the air and making tough catches. He’ll be a valuable addition to Alabama’s offense as a short-intermediate yard target who has the ability to create explosive plays once the ball’s in his hands.
On the baseball field, Jefferson’s regarded as a high-level prospect as an outfielder. Per Perfect Game, his baseball ranking is a 9/10 which translates to “Potential top 10 round pick and/or highest level college prospect.” Similarly to 2023 signee Dylan Lonergan, another highly touted baseball/football prospect, it will be interesting to see how much of an impact Jefferson will have on the baseball program.
With four receivers now enrolled from the 2023 class, two committed in 2024 and arguably the two best receivers committed in 2025 (Jamie Ffrench and Ryan Williams), Alabama’s done a nice job of stacking talent at that position, and can afford to be patient in deciding to add a third at some point during this cycle.
