Alabama has its first linebacker in the class of 2024. Cayden Jones from Christ School in Arden, North Carolina, announced his decision during a press conference.

Jones is listed at 6-foot-4, 205-pounds and is coming off a 50-tackle season for the Greenies. 247Sports Composite ranked Jones as the No. 155 player nationally and the 14th-best linebacker. Jones spent last weekend on a trip to Tuscaloosa. Jones was offered by the Tide during his first visit in January. His primary recruiter was Alabama tight ends coach Joe Cox.

Jones’ size and speed played all over the field. Christ School is an independent-league program and deployed Jones at quarterback, defensive back and kick returner. He mainly lined up at the edge and as the strong-side linebacker and totaled three tackles for loss, two sacks, four pass breakups and one forced fumble. Other schools that had offered Jones included Auburn, Michigan, Notre Dame and Ole Miss and more.

With the pledge, Jones brings Alabama’s class ranking up to 15th overall according to the 247Sports class calculator. The Tide remained sixth in the Southeastern Conference behind Florida (fifth), Tennessee (fourth), South Carolina (third), LSU (second) and Georgia.

Alabama got its first commitment in four months last Sunday when Pennsylvania four-star wide reciever Rico Scott made his commitment public. Scott is one of three offensive commits along with California five-star quarterback Julian Sayin and Foley wideout Perry Thompson. Defensively, Jones will join Clay-Chalkville’s Jaylen Mbakwe and Mobile Christian’s Sterling Dixon.

It’s expected to be a busy few weeks for Alabama recruiting. The annual A-Day spring game is Saturday at 2 p.m. and multiple high-level prospects are expected to attend. The transfer portal remains open as well and coach Nick Saban hinted at making a few additions on Thursday.

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