The Alabama Crimson Tide recently received news that a member of their 2025 recruiting class is coming in a year early, and now, they can look forward to 2025 again with top edge rusher prospect Javion Hilson committing to Alabama as part of that class.
4-Star DE Javion Hilson announced a commitment to Alabama late last night.
Hilton is the Tide?s ninth 2025 commit. pic.twitter.com/Zl1oieY1uz
— Touchdown Alabama Recruiting (@TDARecruiting) December 9, 2023
Hilson, a native of Cocoa High in Florida, announced his commitment. According to 247Sports, Hilson is the No. 4 edge rusher in the nation for the 2025 class and No. 47 overall. With this addition, the Crimson Tide currently holds the No. 1 overall class, per 247Sports.
In choosing Alabama with this verbal commitment, he's leaving Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, Penn State, and Tennessee on the table.
The commitment came after Hilson won his state championship. Heading into that game, Hilspon had 90 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, 39 hurries, and three forced fumbles.
"He's blessed to have God-given ability," Cocoa head coach Ryan Schneider said. "The thing that makes him great is his work ethic and drive to be the best player he can be. His work ethic and drive are some of the best I've ever seen in a high school football player.
"He'll be a perfect fit at Alabama. He's the type of kid we have to kick out of the weight room and off the practice field. He wants to keep working."
Schneider continued to praise him saying, "His athleticism, his toughness too," Schneider said. "He's not just a pass rusher, pretty boy defensive end. He'll stick his nose in there and take on power, take on counter and do his job filling it."
It seems Hilson is more than just a player who shows up on game day—he shows up and participates hard in practice.
"He's touching the quarterback every damn play," Schneider said. "We have to tell him to stay off the quarterback every damn play."
Will Saban and Alabama like Hilson? Schneider thinks so.
"They're going to love him," Schneider said. "He is an Alabama Nick Saban, hard-nosed great football player."
