The offseason recruitment race is on. A major chunk of the Power Five colleges are now awarding scholarships left and right to outstanding young high school standouts. While a majority of them are attacking weapons, the defensive menaces are also getting some respect. Chuck McDonald has long been in the limelight as one of the top cornerbacks for 2025. USC, Georgia, and Alabama football have all indicated interest in getting him. But, it all boiled down to Kalen DeBoer’s Crimson Tide and Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs.

Chuck McDonald has opted to offer his commitment to the Alabama football team, reports Andrew Bone of On 3 Sports. The six-foot-one cornerback has been under the radar of most colleges looking for a defensive boost who can also monitor route runners and jump as high as most wide receivers.

Chuck McDonald was mesmerized when he visited Tuscaloosa. But, it was Kalen DeBoer’s staff who helped him come at a solid judgment. They evidently played a huge impact in his decision-making together with his former teammates in Zabien Brown and Domani Jackson.

“Just everything. The coaching. Everyone seems solid up there. Everyone appears real. I enjoy the coaching expertise they have. Coach Mo has been a head coach. I also chatted to some of my old teammates. They told me the real about how everything is there. It just felt perfect. If you want to be the best, you go to ‘Bama. There is nowhere else to be,” the new Alabama football recruit said.

McDonald comes from the same program that has given Alabama football with excellent cornerbacks. Brown and Jackson have both been serviceable for the Crimson Tide so far. Not to note, Bryce Young, the 2023 first overall choice in the NFL Draft, also came out of the same school as McDonald.

Alabama steals him under the nose of Georgia

© Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK

There were a lot of visits that McDonald evidently still needed to satisfy. But, the Alabama football program just had a distinct draw that not even Kirby Smart’s Georgia football team could present him with. Aside from the Bulldogs, he was also planned to visit USC and Oregon. However, none of those might happen anymore due to him expressing his wish to play for the Crimson Tide.

April 9, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer checks his play sheet during practice in the Hank Crisp Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Alabama.

Now, he is just delighted that the next step to fulfilling his aspirations has finally presented itself.

“It feels great to be committed. It’s just different here. I am privileged to be in this position. I told Coach Mo about the commitment. He was excited. He was ready for me to get started. Everything is just great about Alabama. People say the new personnel won’t be the same, but they are going to preserve that quality. I know that for sure,” he declared.

Kalen DeBoer may not be Nick Saban but his potential to lure recruits is virtually similar. He comes from a winning culture and is likely going to shape the same victorious ways in the Alabama football program. Hopefully, everyone who trusted him entering their college careers won’t be let down and maybe even net a College Football Playoff National Championship.

Jay Postrado is a sports journalist for ClutchPoints, having specialization in covering the NBA, NFL, MLB, Tennis, and Formula 1. He also has bylines at Last Word on Sports and FanSided.