**ESPN Press Release : 7-Foot, 4-Star Wide Receiver Decommits from LSU, Commits to Alabama Over SEC Rivals Georgia, Ohio State, and Auburn**

 

**ESPN Press Release : 7-Foot, 4-Star Wide Receiver Decommits from LSU, Commits to Alabama Over SEC Rivals Georgia, Ohio State, and Auburn**

*Bristol, CT* – In a recruiting twist that is sending shockwaves through the college football landscape, ESPN confirms that **7-foot, 4-star wide receiver Malik Anderson** has **officially decommitted from LSU** and **verbally committed to the University of Alabama**, choosing the Crimson Tide over powerhouse programs including **Georgia**, **Ohio State**, and the **Auburn Tigers**.

Anderson, a rare blend of size, speed, and athleticism, is one of the most talked-about prospects in the 2026 recruiting class. Listed at 7 feet tall and weighing 230 pounds, the towering receiver has drawn national attention not just for his height but for his unique agility, catch radius, and vertical leap—attributes typically seen in elite tight ends or NBA forwards.

Ranked as a top-100 player overall and the No. 5 wide receiver by ESPN Recruiting, Anderson originally committed to LSU in early 2025. However, after a series of coaching changes and what sources describe as a shift in offensive philosophy, Anderson reopened his recruitment in April.

In an exclusive interview with ESPN’s Tom Luginbill, Anderson explained his decision to flip his commitment:

> “LSU was great, but I had to really think about the system that would let me be myself as a player. Alabama showed me how they’d use me not just as a deep threat but as a matchup nightmare. Coach \[Kalen] DeBoer and his staff made me feel like a priority from day one.”

Anderson made unofficial visits to multiple schools this spring, including stops in Athens, Columbus, and Auburn, but ultimately chose Alabama after an extended visit to Tuscaloosa earlier this month.

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, entering his second full recruiting cycle with the Crimson Tide, celebrated the news on social media with a cryptic tweet: “Size. Speed. Bama Bound. #BuiltByBama.” The Tide’s 2026 class now jumps into the national top five with Anderson’s commitment.

Anderson’s size has made him a viral sensation, with highlight clips regularly circulating on social media showing him making high-point grabs over defenders, some more than a foot shorter. His basketball background has clearly translated to the football field, allowing him to body defenders and control the red zone.

ESPN’s National Recruiting Director Craig Haubert called Anderson “one of the most intriguing prospects in recent memory.”

> “He’s a physical outlier with tools you can’t teach. A 7-footer running routes like a slot receiver? That’s a nightmare for any defensive coordinator.”

With Anderson’s commitment, Alabama continues to reassert itself as a dominant force in wide receiver recruiting, following in the footsteps of legends like Julio Jones, DeVonta Smith, and Amari Cooper.

Anderson will take his official visit to Alabama in the fall and is expected to enroll early in January 2026.

Stay tuned to ESPN and the ESPN App for exclusive recruiting coverage, player analysis, and upcoming interviews with Malik Anderson and Alabama’s coaching staff.

**CONTACT:**
Matt Steele
Director of College Football Media Relations
ESPN Communications
[matt.steele@espn.com](mailto:matt.steele@espn.com)

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