Alabama Lands 5-Star QB Jett Thomalla in 2026 Class

Kalen DeBoer's bold QB bet already paying off huge in final recruiting rankings update

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:39am

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When Kalen DeBoer flipped Omaha, Nebraska native Jett Thomalla from his commitment to Iowa State last summer, he was an overlooked three-star recruit. Now, in Rivals' latest recruiting rankings update, Thomalla is rated as a five-star and the No. 24 player in the country, the third-best quarterback in the 2026 class.

Why it matters

DeBoer and his staff's ability to identify and attract top quarterback talent is a key part of Alabama's all-in approach to high school recruiting. Landing a five-star QB like Thomalla, who was previously overlooked, shows their skill at evaluating and developing players.

The details

Thomalla's charge up the recruiting rankings began over the summer with his stellar performance at the Elite11 Finals, leading into his 58-touchdown senior season at Millard South High School in Omaha. With Thomalla's ascension to five-star status, DeBoer and Courtney Morgan have now landed a 5-star QB in back-to-back classes.

  • Thomalla flipped his commitment from Iowa State to Alabama last summer.
  • Thomalla had a 58-touchdown senior season at Millard South High School in Omaha in 2025.
  • Rivals updated their 2026 recruiting rankings, rating Thomalla as a five-star and the No. 24 player in the country.

The players

Kalen DeBoer

The head football coach at the University of Alabama, known for his ability to identify and attract top quarterback talent.

Jett Thomalla

A five-star quarterback recruit from Omaha, Nebraska, who was previously an overlooked three-star before flipping his commitment to Alabama.

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What they’re saying

“The more and more we watched the quarterback group, outside of the top two being Jared Curtis and Keisean Henderson, we felt more and more that Jett Thomalla made a really strong case as the No. 3 quarterback in the cycle. Thomalla had a fantastic senior season, threw for 58 touchdowns, he's the best QB prospect to come from Nebraska in recent memory.”

— Charles Power, Rivals' Director of Scouting and Rankings (Rivals)

What’s next

Thomalla will join a crowded quarterback room at Alabama, where he will compete with returning players Austin Mack and Keelon Russell for the starting job.

The takeaway

DeBoer and his staff's ability to identify and develop top quarterback talent, like turning an overlooked three-star recruit into a five-star prospect, is a key part of Alabama's successful high school recruiting strategy.