Last July 8, Jeremiah Alexander, the five-star football freshman from Alabama, announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide.
Alexander and 2023 five-star defenseman Peter Woods have been close friends and teammates at Thompson for the past three years.
Woods will announce his signing on July 8th. He did not intentionally choose the same date. Maybe it’s lucky for Alabama.
“The crazy thing is that when I was picking my date, I didn’t know that until he said something,” Woods told the Tuscaloosa News. “That was wild for me.”
Woods, the nation’s 23rd recruit according to the 247Sports Composite, has the last four from Alabama, Clemson, Florida and Jackson State.
The last school Woods saw was Clemson during an official visit on the first weekend in July. He planned to visit Florida next week but canceled due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
Woods has not officially visited Alabama or Jackson State. He finished with 92 tackles, 26 losses and 11 sacks as a junior as he helped Thompson win his third straight AHSAA 7A state championship.
“I thought about postponing my visit to Florida, but it didn’t work out that way,” Woods said. “I have been to Bama 50 times. I can’t see much more there. I’ve been to Clemson a few times. Made an (official) visit there.
“I went to Florida in the summer. It sure gets to the point. I’m still making my decision in my head, but it’s being done.”
![Thompson defensive end Peter Woods (11) watches a play during the 7A State Championship game in Birmingham, Wednesday December 1, 2021. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/12/02/NTTN/779b740a-13a9-40ee-98e1-e570c31b917b-TUS_SuperSevenGC1448.jpg?width=300&height=359&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Clemson defense coach Nick Eason and Alabama defense coach Freddie Roach have had great relationships with Woods over the years.
Eason was Woods’ primary contact in Auburn, which Eason left in January. Woods later dropped Auburn from the competition that spring.
Clemson only boosted his chances with the addition of Eason because it was already a top pick before he arrived.
Woods has a group of friends and former Thompson teammates in Alabama or involved in Alabama: 2023 five-star fullback Tony Mitchell, Alexander, four-star freshman fullback Tre’Quon Fegans, and offensive lineman and cousin Amari Kight.
Proximity to Tuscaloosa has helped Alabama attract top recruits from Thompson for years.
Before making his decision, Woods draws on his Alexander’s recruiting process.
“It was important for him to make the decision that’s best for you, who you want to be,” Woods said. “I feel like he did that to the best of his ability and he expects me to do the same and I’m willing to do that.”
Jerell Rushin is a recruiting reporter for the Tuscaloosa News and USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter at @JerellRushin_.