Top ‘26 DT talks Alabama interest, relationship with Freddie Roach
Alabama is off to a strong start in recruiting on the defensive side of the ball in 2026. For a few days in May, the Crimson Tide was the hottest team on the trail, landing defensive backs Jamarrion Gordon and Dorian Barney on May 18 and 19 respectively.
Though Alabama’s streak of 2026 pledges was snapped at two days, the Tide hasn’t stopped pursuing elite players in the 2026 class. The coaching staff was allowed to start contacting players beginning June 15. A barrage of Alabama’s targets received phone calls where the staff could express their interest and invite them either for a first time or return visit to Tuscaloosa.
One of those players was four-star defensive tackle Daverin "Deuce" Geralds. The talented lineman is rated as the No. 28 player and No. 3 defensive tackle in the 2026 class. He’s amassed nearly 50 offers while starring for Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia. He picked up an offer from the new Alabama staff on May 1 but has a history with the Crimson Tide that goes back much further.
“I’ve been going to their football camps since the seventh, eighth grade,” Geralds told Tide Illustrated.
Geralds was first offered by Nick Saban in 2023 and his experience of Alabama under the legendary coach during those camps made it all the more crucial that a member of his staff remained with the new regime. Fortunately, that connection is defensive line coach Freddie Roach. Geralds said he’s enjoyed working with Roach when he’s camped, which gives Roach a head start in recruiting Geralds as he emerges as a top prospect.
“Me and him have a really good connection,” Geralds said. “And with him still being at Bama, Bama is still up there with top schools and has a good chance of getting me.”
Geralds’ last visit to Alabama came earlier this year, just before the Tide began spring practice. While he wasn’t able to see the team on the field, he got a good impression of the culture that Kalen DeBoer and Company are setting.
“Everybody still has that winning mentality there because it’s still Bama,” Geralds said… “Bama is going to be Bama at the end of the day. They still have the same mentality and the same goal and the standard is the standard there.”
While his past connection to Roach ensures Alabama will remain in the mix, it will be a highly competitive race for Geralds’ services. Among the flurry of calls on June 15, Geralds said North Carolina, Ohio State, Auburn, Texas, Ole Miss and LSU all got in contact with him quickly. His father played for the Rebels and Geralds is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, making LSU and Ole Miss intriguing rivals for Alabama in his recruitment. While the race remains open, Geralds will certainly be a name consistently mentioned among Alabama’s top prospects in 2026. He said he plans on returning for a game in the fall.