Alabama Makes Top Ten for Highly Coveted Four-Star DL: What It Means for the Crimson Tide
As the 2025 recruiting cycle heats up, the Alabama Crimson Tide have once again positioned themselves in the thick of the race for one of the top defensive linemen in the country. On Tuesday, four-star defensive lineman Tyshawn Mitchell, a standout prospect from Virginia’s powerhouse program, officially narrowed down his recruitment to a top ten—and Alabama made the cut.
Mitchell, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound wrecking ball out of Manchester High School in Midlothian, Virginia, has emerged as one of the most coveted interior defensive line prospects in the nation. With offers from virtually every blue-blood program and a reputation for dominating in the trenches, his recruitment is a closely watched battle among the nation’s elite.
Let’s dive deep into what Mitchell brings to the table, what Alabama’s inclusion in his top 10 means, how the Tide stack up against his other finalists, and why this recruitment could have significant implications for Kalen DeBoer’s evolving defensive strategy.
Meet Tyshawn Mitchell: A Disruptive Force in the Trenches
Tyshawn Mitchell isn’t just another four-star recruit—he’s a foundational defensive piece for whichever program lands his signature. Ranked as the No. 8 defensive lineman in the 2025 class by 247Sports and a top-100 overall prospect, Mitchell combines physicality, athleticism, and technique in a way rarely seen at the high school level.
Physical Profile:
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 290 lbs
- Position: Defensive Line (can play DT, 3-tech, or strong-side DE)
- 40-yard dash: 4.89 seconds
- Vertical: 30 inches
- Wingspan: 81 inches
Mitchell possesses the kind of elite frame and burst that college defensive line coaches dream of molding. He plays with a low pad level, sheds blocks with violent hands, and maintains pursuit through the whistle. While his size lends itself to a role at defensive tackle in most systems, he’s athletic enough to bump outside on early downs in a 3-4 front, which makes him a scheme-versatile recruit.
2024 Junior Season Stats (per MaxPreps):
- Tackles: 72
- Tackles for Loss: 21
- Sacks: 11
- Fumble Recoveries: 3
- Forced Fumbles: 2
Those numbers reflect his impact not only as a run-stopper but also as a pass-rusher—two traits that make him invaluable in the SEC.
Alabama’s Defensive Line Outlook: Why Mitchell Matters
The Crimson Tide are in the midst of a defensive rebuild under new head coach Kalen DeBoer and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack. While Alabama returns several key contributors along the defensive front, depth and future talent at the position remain a priority.
Key Departures and Gaps:
- Justin Eboigbe (graduation)
- Tim Keenan III (NFL Draft)
- Jah-Marien Latham (portal)
- Damon Payne Jr. (portal)
These departures left Alabama looking to reload on the interior defensive line. While they’ve brought in promising talent via the portal and recent recruiting classes—including James Smith and Jordan Renaud—there’s a clear need to land a future anchor on the line. That’s where Mitchell fits in.
What Mitchell Would Bring to Alabama:
- Immediate rotational potential as a freshman in 2025
- Ideal size for SEC play without needing major bulking
- Scheme versatility—fits both even and odd fronts
- Leadership qualities—high football IQ and locker-room presence
- Consistency and durability—has played all 10 games in each of his three high school seasons
Simply put, Mitchell isn’t just a nice-to-have for Alabama—he’s a must-get type of player if the Crimson Tide want to continue their tradition of dominance in the trenches.
Who’s in the Top 10? Mitchell’s Finalists Revealed
In addition to Alabama, Mitchell’s top ten features an impressive list of college football powers:
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Ohio State
- Florida State
- Michigan
- Penn State
- Tennessee
- South Carolina
- Oregon
- Virginia Tech
This list represents a wide range of programs across the Power Five landscape. Each school brings a unique recruiting pitch—whether it’s defensive pedigree, scheme fit, proximity to home, or recent NFL development success.
Breaking Down the Competition
Let’s take a closer look at how Alabama stacks up against some of Mitchell’s top suitors.
Georgia
Strengths: DL development, Kirby Smart’s defensive reputation, proximity to home
Weaknesses: Loaded depth chart could limit early playing time
Outlook: Georgia is perhaps Alabama’s biggest threat in this race. Their track record developing top-tier defensive linemen like Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter is hard to ignore.
Ohio State
Strengths: NFL pipeline, strong NIL presence, history of DL dominance
Weaknesses: Distance from home, Big Ten defensive scheme differences
Outlook: A dark horse, but the Buckeyes have been quietly making noise in Mitchell’s recruitment.
Florida State
Strengths: Immediate playing time, strong relationships with DL coaches
Weaknesses: Less consistent defensive performance at the national level
Outlook: FSU is on the rise and pitching Mitchell as a program-changer.
Michigan
Strengths: Recent playoff success, strength development program
Weaknesses: HC Jim Harbaugh’s NFL departure adds uncertainty
Outlook: Wolverines are in the mix, but have ground to make up.
Virginia Tech (hometown team)
Strengths: Close to home, emotional/family ties
Weaknesses: Not a national contender, limited national exposure
Outlook: More of a courtesy inclusion, but can’t be ruled out.
South Carolina and Tennessee
Strengths: SEC experience, NIL packages
Weaknesses: Lack of national success, defensive instability
Outlook: Could emerge as top contenders if visits go well.
Where Alabama Stands in the Recruitment
Sources close to the situation indicate that Alabama is “firmly in the top tier” of Mitchell’s top ten. He’s expected to take an official visit to Tuscaloosa in June, and defensive line coach Freddie Roach has been heavily involved in his recruitment from the beginning.
Why Alabama Has an Edge:
- SEC dominance and exposure
- NFL development pipeline
- Opportunity for early playing time
- Stable coaching staff under DeBoer
- Strong academics and brand reputation
Mitchell reportedly connected with DeBoer during his unofficial visit in March, praising the staff’s “family vibe” and calling the new system “explosive and aggressive.”
Alabama is making Mitchell a top priority—and he knows it.
Recruiting Visits and Timeline
Mitchell plans to take all five of his official visits this summer before making a decision during the early signing period in December. Here’s the projected visit schedule:
- June 7-9: Florida State
- June 14-16: Alabama
- June 21-23: Georgia
- June 28-30: Ohio State
- TBD: South Carolina or Virginia Tech (final slot undecided)
Expect Mitchell to release a final five before the fall and schedule a commitment ceremony either during a nationally televised game or his high school’s homecoming week.
Scouting Report: What Coaches Are Saying
Here’s what several recruiting analysts and coaches have said about Mitchell:
“Tyshawn is one of the most college-ready defensive linemen in the country. He’s physically developed, smart, and relentless. He’ll make an impact as a freshman wherever he goes.”
– Greg Biggins, 247Sports
“Mitchell can play the 3-tech or slide inside. He’s a monster against the run and has a nose for the quarterback. He’s got that SEC motor.”
– High school coach Tom Hall
“What separates Mitchell is his hand usage. He’s got advanced technique for a high school player. He doesn’t just win with brute strength—he out-thinks offensive linemen.”
– Rivals national analyst Adam Gorney
Strategic Importance for Alabama
Landing Tyshawn Mitchell wouldn’t just add talent—it would signal that Alabama remains a recruiting powerhouse under DeBoer, even without Nick Saban at the helm. Holding off Georgia and Ohio State for an elite defensive lineman from the East Coast would validate Alabama’s new staff and recruiting strategy.
Implications of a Commitment:
- Validates Freddie Roach as DL recruiter
- Strengthens 2025 class nationally
- Shifts recruiting momentum from Georgia back to Alabama
- Secures a cornerstone in the defensive rebuild
The Bigger Picture: Alabama’s 2025 Class
Alabama already holds commitments from several top 2025 prospects, including:
- Zabien Brown, CB (Top-50 nationally)
- Keelon Russell, QB
- Malik Autry, DL (but projects as a 5-tech or edge)
Adding Mitchell would give Alabama the interior force they currently lack in the class and push them into top-five territory nationally.
Tyshawn Mitchell’s recruitment is still far from over, but Alabama making his top ten list is a critical milestone. As summer visits approach and the Crimson Tide work to solidify their 2025 class, Mitchell represents a potential defensive centerpiece for years to come.
Kalen DeBoer’s staff understands the stakes, and with Freddie Roach leading the charge, Alabama is in a strong position to seal the deal. Mitchell’s June visit will likely be the pivotal moment—if the Tide can impress him with their culture, opportunity, and long-term vision, they may very well land one of the most important recruits of the cycle.
