As Alabama builds momentum for its 2026 recruiting class, Zyan Gibson is proving to be more than just a top-tier cornerback — he’s becoming the quiet force driving the Crimson Tide’s future. With key targets like five-star receiver Cederian Morgan in his sights, Gibson’s leadership, work ethic, and strong relationships with the coaching staff are helping shape what could be one of Alabama’s most tightly bonded classes yet.
Right now, the Gadsden cornerback’s sights are set firmly on Alexander City five-star wide receiver Cederian Morgan, who has his commitment date set for July 2. His six scheduled official visits include the Crimson Tide, which gets the last swing June 19-22.
Gibson, the No. 50 player nationally and No. 4 player in Alabama in the 247 Sports Composite who committed to Alabama in December, said he’s getting closer and closer with Morgan, a receiver who could fit right into the Crimson Tide offense.
But the pitch itself isn’t elaborate.
“I just really sweettalk him,” Gibson told The Tuscaloosa News. “Like, ‘Come on. What (are you) waiting on?’”
Talking has never been Gibson’s style. At Gadsden City High School, Gibson is the “silent leader,” football coach Ali Smith said, the one who jumps to the front of the warm-up line, who is where he’s supposed to be, who does what everyone else is supposed to do.
“I think that he is working to be one of the best players in the state, if not in the country,” Smith said.
That is not Gibson’s only job. It’s also to help the Crimson Tide secure other 2026 players aiming to be “one of the best players in the state, if not the country.” It’s a role Gibson didn’t expect, but one he takes incredibly seriously.
“I want to build a culture at Bama,” Gibson said. “I’m just going for the best guys.”
At the beginning of May, Gibson is one of five Class of 2026 commits, joined by Muscle Shoals four-star edge Kamhariyan Johnson and three recruits from Georgia: five-star cornerback Jorden Edmonds, four-star edge Jamarion Matthews and four-star offensive lineman Chris Booker.
Gibson was not the first member of the class, one that had four separate commitments and de-commitments before the Gadsden cornerback picked Alabama on Dec. 24.
Gibson was, however, the only member for 59 days, a stretch that felt like an eternity and ended with Booker’s commitment Feb. 20. But it also was a stretch when the Crimson Tide continued to push a message that sold Zyan and the Gibson family.
To Michael Gibson, Zyan’s father and a former Ole Miss defensive lineman, Alabama’s recruiting approach isn’t a pitch but a genuine approach to the program at large, one built around “old school” relationships in a world of Name, Image and Likeness and money, one that is “family oriented,” from the top of head coach Kalen DeBoer and general manager Courtney Morgan, to associate director of recruiting operations Ashleigh Kimble, who Michael calls the “team mom.”
“It’s just one big happy family down there. … I think everybody is bought in with coach DeBoer and the plan,” Michael Gibson said. “That’s why you didn’t see nobody hit the portal. And that’s really big. Really big on family, man. There’s nothing but love in the building when you go in there.”
Gibson, his father said, has “a good instinct” on how to pitch the Crimson Tide after countless visits and hours building relationships with defensive backs coach Maurice Linguist and the rest of the staff that “treats us like family.”
Michael Gibson never expected Zyan to be the face of this class of recruits, though. His son is “very laid-back, low-key (and) does not do a lot of talking at all.” But in a different way, it all makes sense.
“When he’s amongst his peers, he kind of opens up more,” Michael Gibson said.
Zyan Gibson is recruiting to find teammates he can be comfortable with, who he can build a relationship with, who he will try and win with in Tuscaloosa.
It’s who Gibson was, and who Smith expects Gibson will be in his final season at Gadsden City, a “humble kid who works his tail off.”
“He is so in tune to who he is with these guys and wanting to be the best here, that he is just one of the guys,” Smith said. “But he works hard. And I think his dedication to his training and hard work, that separates him. You could say, ‘Oh I can see why he’s one of those guys.’”
