Alabama’s second commitment of the day won’t be in Tuscaloosa for a couple of seasons.

Interior offensive lineman Zykie Helton announced his choice on Sunday on his social media channels hours after the Tide added a German linebacker to its 2024 class. Helton is listed at 6-foot-3, 300-pounds, and plays for Carrollton High, a Georgia power.

The rising sophomore picked up offers from Texas A&M, Auburn and others after a strong freshman campaign in which he got snaps on both sides of the trenches. Helton camped with the Tide in June. While he doesn’t have a rating from the major recruiting sites, that’s typical for an underclassman at a non-skill position.

Tide offensive line coach Eric Wolford was active with five commitments in his first year on Nick Saban’s staff. He already has one with Joseph Ionata and a pair in 2025, Mason Short and Dontrell Glover, both from Georgia.

Alabama has repeatedly secured talent from the Peach State despite a pair of national titles for Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs. Five-stars Justice Haynes and Caleb Downs migrated west from the class of 2023. Alabama also flipped four-star offensive lineman Rock McElderry last fall.

Helton can be a recruiter in his own right with a few of his teammates. Carrollton four-star tight end Caleb Odom is one of Alabama’s key targets and is set to announce his choice on July 15. 2026 quarterback Julian Lewis, who Helton blocks for, also threw for 48 touchdowns as a freshman and has an offer from the Tide.

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