Alabama added another impressive piece to its future recruiting class on Wednesday, and this one came at the expense of its biggest rival.
Just a few weeks after committing to Auburn, 2027 wide receiver Cedrick Simmons announced he has flipped his commitment to Alabama, giving Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide another talented in-state playmaker.
The timing of the announcement was particularly interesting. Earlier in the day, Alabama Roundtable reported that Alabama was in prime position to flip Simmons from Auburn. A few hours later, that prediction became reality as the Selma native officially announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide.
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Simmons originally pledged to Auburn on June 23 after choosing the Tigers over Alabama and Purdue. However, the recruitment clearly wasn’t over. Despite committing to Auburn, Simmons has never hidden the fact that he grew up cheering for Alabama, making this decision a full-circle moment as he now commits to the school he supported as a kid.
The 5-foot-9, 190-pound athlete heads into his senior season as one of the most dynamic players in Alabama high school football. After spending his junior season at Southside-Selma, Simmons transferred to Selma High School for his final year, where expectations will be incredibly high following a dominant 2025 campaign.
His production last season was nothing short of spectacular.
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Simmons caught 106 passes for an astounding 2,192 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns, consistently proving he could take over games with his speed, playmaking ability, and reliability as a receiver. But his impact wasn’t limited to the offensive side of the ball. Defensively, Simmons finished the season with 34 tackles and seven interceptions, showcasing the athleticism that has made him one of the state’s most intriguing prospects.
That outstanding junior season earned Simmons an invitation to Nike’s prestigious The Opening Finals in Oregon, where many of the nation’s top high school football players gather each summer to compete against elite competition. Simply earning an invitation is a testament to the respect he’s earned from coaches and recruiting analysts across the country.
According to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite rankings, Simmons is the No. 588 overall player in the 2027 recruiting class, the No. 39 athlete nationally, and the No. 24 overall prospect in Alabama. 247Sports’ own rankings list him as the No. 55 athlete and the No. 27 player in the state.
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While recruiting rankings provide one way to evaluate prospects, Simmons’ production on Friday nights speaks for itself. Recording more than 2,100 receiving yards while also making game-changing plays on defense isn’t something many high school players accomplish. His versatility and ability to impact every phase of the game make him an exciting addition to Alabama’s future roster.
For DeBoer and his coaching staff, this commitment is significant for more than one reason. Alabama not only landed another explosive in-state athlete, but it also flipped a player who had been committed to Auburn for less than a month. Winning recruiting battles against SEC rivals has always been important, and this latest flip is another example of the momentum Alabama continues to build on the recruiting trail.
The Crimson Tide’s future continues to get brighter, and Simmons is the latest playmaker to buy into what DeBoer is building in Tuscaloosa.
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Roll Tide.
