Alabama football’s 2025 recruiting class got a boost Wednesday at the expense of one of its SEC competitors. Wide receiver Derek Meadows, who committed to LSU early in the early signing period on Wednesday, joined Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide.

According to the 247Sports composite rankings, Meadows is a four-star prospect. He plays his high school football at Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas.

“Meadows is a jumbo receiver and one of the most intriguing players in the Class of 25,” Greg Biggins, national recruiting analyst for 247Sports, wrote in his scouting report on the receiver. “He has a rare combination of size, athleticism and body control and only scratches the surface of how good we think he can be.”

The 1.90 meter tall and 90 kilogram Meadows had been committed to LSU since July. The Tigers class has suffered several setbacks recently, starting with the news that five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood was transferring to Michigan.

Meadows is helping ease the pain of the Alabama class, which has suffered a setback of its own. Five-star wide receiver Caleb Cunningham transferred to Ole Miss from the Crimson Tide in November.

He became the second wide receiver in Alabama’s 2025 class, joining Lotzier Brooks, who has not yet signed but is committed to the Crimson Tide. Meadows is listed as the No. 17 receiver in the 2025 class and the No. 119 player nationally by the 247Sports composite.

The early signing period for the class of 2025 began on Wednesday. It runs for three days until Friday.