By james art 
Vodney Cleveland announced his commitment to Alabama football on Thursday, choosing the Crimson Tide over several prominent programs.
DRILLING: Birmingham 4-star DL Waters Cleveland @VodneyC committed to Alabama. pic.twitter.com/VUWhBjMO9w
— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) October 31, 2024
Cleveland is considered one of the top 2026 defensive line prospects in the nation. He attends Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama and currently has four stars.
The junior’s decision to commit to Alabama came down to a variety of factors, including playing under Callen DeBoer and Crimson Tide defensive line coach Freddie Roach.
“First of all, just Coach DeBoer and the coaching staff, Coach Roach,” Cleveland said when discussing his decision to commit. “They just recruited me hard and I feel like coach Roach is going to develop me into a great defender. I feel like they have a plan for me.”
Roach led Alabama in pursuit of Cleveland. His relationship with the four-star player was instrumental in attracting the Tide to Cleveland’s commitment.
“It’s just that every time we talk, it’s like I’m his nephew,” Cleveland told Touchdown Alabama. “But as far as just putting me on that defensive line, he sees a lot in me, like what I could do on that D line.”
The Crimson Tide benefit immensely from having in-state talent playing along their defensive front. They currently have two significant contributors who hail from Alabama in Tim Keenan and James Smith. Cleveland is looking at both as it looks to continue the tradition of in-state defensive line talent doing great things in Tuscaloosa.
“It means a lot, especially just watching Tim Keenan. I kind of see myself as Tim Keenan, just coming to play like him. James Smith, great guy. I grew up watching him play at Carver, so it’s just a blessing to be able to try to play next to him in this lineup and just work.
Alabama football’s newest 4-star DL commitment.
— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) October 31, 2024
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Justin Smith is the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
