An active day for Alabama football recruiting continued as Zabien Brown, a four-star from Mater Dei (Calif.) High, committed to Nick Saban and co. The defensive back became the fifth player in the 247Sports Composite top-100 to pick Alabama and the first since May 21.

His finalists were Southern California and Ohio State. He’s rated as the 61st overall recruit in the county and the No. 7 cornerback. Brown joins 2024 German linebacker Justin Okoronkwo and 2026 offensive lineman Zykie Helton as prospects who announced their UA futures on Sunday.

Brown posted 32 total tackles, three interceptions and a forced fumble last fall, helping the historic California program go 12-1. The NFL’s most recent first-overall pick, Bryce Young, is a Mater Dei alum who also chose the Tide over USC.

Brown was originally offered by Alabama last summer and made multiple visits in the interim, four overall, including the Tide’s junior day this January and an official visit on June 24. Los Angeles native and Tide assistant offensive head coach Holmon Wiggins played a key role in making Brown the 12th recruit of the cycle.

247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins wrote of Brown: “Clean footwork allows him to gain plenty of depth while loose hips allow him to mirror assignments better than most his age. Active eyes help him feel out routes and anticipate throws. Not the most physical outside defender, but will put his hands on wide receivers and try to get them off schedule. Has also proven to be rather serviceable as an open-field tackler, but is likely only to make more of a difference in run support if he can eventually add some mass to a wiry frame.”

Brown is Alabama’s third defensive back in the class of 2024 along with five-star Clay-Chalkville athlete Jaylen Mbakwe and Florida four-star Jameer Grimsley, who committed on July 1. With now three commitments in eight days, the Tide has risen 14 spots to 15th in the 247Sports team ratings.

Alabama has a prospect score of 222.97, a measure of the total number of prospects weighed with each player’s overall rank. The teams ahead of the Tide are now Florida State, Stanford and Clemson. Alabama leaped South Carolina for the No. 6 spot within the Southeastern Conference.

Its next target, four-star offensive lineman Casey Poe, is set to decide between UA, Georgia, Clemson, Oklahoma, Auburn and Texas Tech on July 12.

MORE Tide Recruiting: Alabama football timeline: When will the Tide’s 2024 targets announce?

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected]