Alabama loses 4-star LB prospect via flip to Big Ten program

Alabama’s recent loss from the 2025 recruiting class is a big gain for Matt Rhule’s Nebraska program.

On Thursday, elite linebacker prospect Dawson Merritt confirmed he is flipping his commitment away from Alabama to commit to the Cornhuskers. Merritt generated major interest from many top programs during his recruitment and originally committed to Kalen DeBoer’s Crimson Tide in June.

Now, he’s on his way to Lincoln as a major piece for Nebraska:

BREAKING: Four-Star EDGE Dawson Merritt has Flipped his Commitment from Alabama to Nebraska, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’3 215 EDGE from Overland Park, KS had been Committed to the Crimson Tide since June

“Trusting that the Lord is guiding me down the right path.… pic.twitter.com/zJAMn4DnUf

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) November 14, 2024

At the time of his flip, Merritt was a top-10 prospect in Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class. He immediately becomes the highest-ranked prospect in Nebraska’s 2025 recruiting class and bumps the Huskers to No. 20 nationally per the 247 Sports Team Composite.

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds out of Kansas, Merritt is the 13th overall linebacker in the country per the 247 Sports Composite. He’s also the 116th overall recruit in the country.

Alabama is still aiming to land a top-5 recruiting class without Merritt while the linebacker gives Nebraska a great shot at finalizing a top-20 recruiting class in the cycle.

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.