Zabien Brown joins Alabama’s 2024 class of signees from Mater Dei High School in California.
Alabama landed its latest signee for its 2024 high school recruiting class Wednesday in cornerback Zabien Brown from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California.
Brown is among Alabama’s early-enrollees.
2024 Alabama signees list
What Brown has said about Alabama
“I’m very excited about my decision. It was really tough because USC was up there too but I felt like this was the best move for me. USC was local but I kind of wanted to get away and really focus in without some of the distractions you can have being close to home. Bama is playing great football right now.”
Rank per 247Sports Composite
No. 5 cornerback, No. 62 player in the country
Scouting Report via Greg Biggins
Brown had a strong senior year and showed why he’s rated among the top five corner prospects in the country. He battled some injuries during the season but played his best ball of his career during the Monarchs playoff run down the stretch. He’s a true shut down corner who relishes the challenge of taking on another teams top receiver. His cover instincts and ability to play tight man coverage without needing to clutch and grab like so many young corners sets him apart from others. At 6-0, 180 pounds, Brown has an ideal corner frame with plenty of length and room to add good weight in college. He plays with advanced technique, shows quick feet, can change direction and has excellent ball awareness. He plays a physical game, is a willing tackler and always looks under control. With his natural talent and mature game as well as how diligently he prepares off the field, it won’t surprise at all if Brown sees plenty of time as a true freshman in the fall.
What Alabama is getting: Alabama has routinely signed some of the nation’s top cornerback prospects under Nick Saban, and Brown is the latest. He joins a secondary that is expected to lose Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold to the NFL draft, and early playing time should not be ruled out for a player who comes from an elite level of high school football at Mater Deal
LIVE UPDATES: National Signing Day 2023 Tracker
Bama247 is bringing you regular updates throughout the day on Wednesday and the rest of the Early Signing Period
We’ve officially arrived at the Early Signing Period. It’s already been an eventful week on the recruiting trail. The Crimson Tide added two defenders on Monday and Tuesday, a top247 EDGE in Jayshawn Ross (Kansas City) and the No. 2 defensive lineman in the transfer portal.
Before any National Letter of Intents are sent in, Alabama has the No. 3 ranked class (per 247Sports Composite Rankings) with 23 commits including five-star Texas A&M transfer LT Overton (Milton, GA).
LATEST INTEL: What Bama247 is hearing as of Tuesday night
Every commit is expected to sign on Wednesday. All of the early enrollees participating in Rose Bowl practice should have their NLIs in very early. There are also several other remaining targets, including flip candidates, who will sign on Wednesday.
2024 TEAM RANKINGS
CLASS RANK
Alabama starts Signing Day ranked as the No. 3 team in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings. The Crimson Tide trails only Georgia in the SEC, while Ohio State maintains the second spot. Depending on how Signing Day shakes out, Alabama has a chance to jump Ohio State. Georgia is all but likely firmly in control of the No. 1 ranked class.
The Average Commit Rating is 92.73, which is good for No. 3 in the country and No. 2 in the SEC.
The class includes 23 commits (22 high schoolers, one transfer). The only player committed, who is not scheduled to sign on Wednesday is Ryan Williams (Saraland, AL). The five-star receiver will sign in February.
COMPLETE COMMIT LIST
SIGNING CEREMONY SCHEDULE (this will be updated as we confirm more times)
3-star OT target Favour Edwin (A.M.)
4-star LB commit Cayden Jones (7 a.m. CT)
4-star WR commit Rico Scott (8:30 a.m. CT)
5-star Auburn WR commit Perry Thompson (9 a.m. CT)
5-star CB commit Jaylen Mbakwe (10 a.m. CT)
4-star S commit Rydarrius Morgan (11 a.m. CT)
3-star DL commit Isaia Faga (11 a.m. CT)
4-star DL target Steve Mboumoua (11 a.m. CT)
4-star WR Amari Jefferson (before noon)
5-star Ohio State DL commit Eddrick Houston (around 12 p.m. CT)
4-star DB commit Jameer Grimsley (12 p.m. CT)
4-star Miami RB commit Kevin Riley (1 p.m. CT)
4-star EDGE commit Jayshawn Ross (2:30 p.m. CT)
4-star EDGE target Solomon Williams (3 p.m. CT)
4-star Arkansas RB commit Jadan Baugh (5:30 p.m. CT)
3-star TE commit Jay Lindsey (Thursday, 5 p.m. CT)
3-star Texas A&M LB commit Tristan Jernigan (Friday, 4 p.m. CT)
***LIVE UPDATES***
Wednesday Updates:
1:04 P.M. CT – Four-star RB Kevin Riley flipped from Miami to Alabama. Here is the commit story with quotes.
12:28 P.M. CT- Four-star ATH Aeryn Hampton flipped from Texas to Alabama.
12:21 P.M. CT – Five-star DL Eddrick Houston stuck with Ohio State.
9:12 A.M. CT – Steve Wiltfong reports he has flipped his Crystal Ball to Alabama from Ohio State for five-star DL Eddrick Houston.
7:20 a.m. CT – (Via Steve Wiltfong) “Ohio State felt good about hanging on to five-star defensive lineman Eddrick Houston, but sources around the school actually suggest that he will flip to Alabama. The Crimson Tide have 247Sports No. 3 recruiting class as we start the day. Ohio State still hasn’t heard anything and will battle to keep him in the fold.”
6:40 a.m. CT – Continuing to hear Alabama is still somewhat in with Texas A&M it for four-star EDGE Solomon Williams. Looks like its all Gators for four-star RB Jadan Baugh. Will keep you guys updated.
6:25 a.m. CT – Steve Wiltfong reports four-star ATH Aeryn Hampton (Texas commit) in on flip watch. Working to learn more.
6:01 a.m. CT — NLIs can start being sent into schools. We expect a flurry of announcements from the Alabama Football social media accounts early this morning.
Tuesday Updates:
10:40 p.m. — 247Sports Steve Wiltfong reports Florida could now be in the best position to land three-star OT Favour Edwin. I am working to learn more. His signing time has not been confirmed.
“Touted offensive lineman Favour Edwin seemed to be trending towards Florida,” Wiltfong said in his latest update. “Alabama was the program he pivoted from, and Auburn was the one before that. We’ll see who’s standing in the end.”
9:00 p.m. — I submitted a Crystal Ball forecast in Alabama’s favor for four-star DL Steve Mboumoua (Canada). Read more.
***STORY LINKS***
Signee stories, national analysis, Nick Saban’s remarks during Wednesday afternoon’s press conference and more will be added here.
