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Kalen DeBoer battling SEC rivals for Antwan Jackson.

The battle for elite pass rusher Antwan Jackson is quickly becoming one of the more intriguing recruiting fights in the SEC, and the Alabama Crimson Tide is right in the middle of it.

According to recruiting insider Chad Simmons of Rivals, several SEC programs are making strong pushes for the four-star EDGE prospect, with Alabama continuing to battle conference rivals for positioning early in his recruitment.

Jackson has emerged as one of the more coveted defensive front prospects in the 2027 recruiting cycle thanks to his blend of explosiveness, length, and ability to disrupt opposing offenses off the edge. Programs throughout the Southeast have ramped up communication with the talented defender as his national profile continues to rise.

Alabama Fighting Off SEC Rivals for Antwan Jackson

Under head coach Kalen DeBoer, Alabama has made recruiting elite defensive line and EDGE talent a major priority, and Jackson appears firmly on the Crimson Tide’s radar.

“They’ve definitely been one of my top schools from the start,” Jackson told Rivals. “Just the expectations people have for the program and the relationships I’ve built with the defensive staff have Alabama up. How they run things, and how the coaches have made me a priority, really stand out.”

The Tide is reportedly battling multiple SEC schools for Jackson; he has locked in four official visits over the next month or so. All of his official visits are to SEC programs.

First, Jackson will visit Alabama on May 29-31, then he will head to Oxford to visit the Ole Miss Rebels on June 5-7. Jackson’s final two visits will be at Missouri (June 12-14) and Tennessee (June 19-21).

Recruiting battles along the defensive front have become increasingly important in the SEC, where elite pass rushers can completely alter a defense. Alabama’s staff has consistently emphasized versatility and explosiveness at EDGE, traits Jackson reportedly brings at a high level.

While Jackson has not publicly announced a commitment timeline, momentum around his recruitment continues to build as more powerhouse programs become involved.

Alabama Recruiting Momentum Remains Strong

Even with fierce competition across the conference, Alabama continues to position itself well with elite prospects nationally. The Tide’s recruiting brand, player development history, and track record of producing NFL defenders remain major selling points for top EDGE recruits.

As Jackson’s recruitment develops, Alabama fans will be watching closely to see whether the Crimson Tide can fend off rival SEC programs and eventually secure one of the rising defensive stars in the 2027 class.