5-Star Edge Rusher Zion Grady Decommits from Alabama After Nick Saban’s Retirement

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After the retirement of longtime head coach Nick Saban, Alabama has lost another commitment from a highly touted prospect.

Per Hayes Fawcett of On3.com, edge rusher Zion Grady said he has decommitted from the Crimson Tide. Grady is a 5-star prospect and ranked as the No. 1 edge rusher in the country in 247Sports’ composite.

Per ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren, Grady is the sixth member of the 2025 class to decommit from Alabama following Saban’s retirement, joining defensive end Javion Hilson, offensive linemen Mason Short and Dontrell Glover, wide receiver Jaime Ffrench and defensive lineman Antonio Coleman. Also, 2024 5-star receiver Ryan Williams decommitted from the team on the same day as Saban’s retirement.

Newly hired Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer is now left with just two commitments in the 2025 class. Alabama has also lost 24 scholarship players to the transfer portal this offseason.

A 6’4″, 225-pound edge from Charles Henderson High School in Troy, Alabama, Grady had been committed to Alabama since November. He chose the Crimson Tide over Auburn, Florida State and Georgia, among others.

247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins describes Grady as “an uber-productive pass rusher that wins primarily with speed and finesse” who “should be viewed as a potential impact player on Saturdays with NFL upside if he can keep progressing.”

“Has operated primarily out of a two-point stance since he was a freshman in one of Alabama’s higher classifications and found plenty of success, totaling 34 sacks through 30 varsity games,” Ivins added about Grady. “Tends to stun opposing tackles with his quick first step and is able to get off blocks with a limber upper half. Owns a few go-to moves, but an expanded menu is only going to make him more dangerous on the edge. Flashes good range and will make stops in pursuit.”

Now that Grady has reopened his recruitment, he will likely be one of the most sought-after prospects in the coming months.