Alabama Lands Four-Star Cornerback Braylen Gibbs After Flip From Vanderbilt
Alabama gains its first 2028 defensive back commit, highlighting Maurice Linguist’s recruiting pull, strong NIL backing, early momentum under Kalen DeBoer.
Overview
- Braylen Gibbs formally withdrew his December 2025 pledge to Vanderbilt and publicly committed to Alabama on Friday after visits to Tuscaloosa.
- Gibbs is a four-star 2028 prospect ranked by Rivals as No. 257 overall and No. 25 among cornerbacks, and he appears as a four-star on the 247Sports Composite.
- Alabama first offered Gibbs in March and he attended the Tide’s A-Day in April before returning for an unofficial visit in mid-June, a sequence that recruiters say helped prompt the flip.
- Gibbs and his high school coach emphasized his rare physical upside, including a reported 6-foot-6 wingspan, and Gibbs credited defensive backs coach Maurice Linguist and Kalen DeBoer’s program message for his choice.
- The commitment gives Alabama an early defensive piece for its 2028 class, underscores staff access to in-state talent, and ties into broader recruiting conversations about coach relationships and NIL resources.