Alabama gives Top 100 safety a lot to consider after official visit

Alabama hosted Peyton Woodyard, one of its top overall defensive targets, for an official visit this past weekend. Woodyard is the No. 5 safety in the country per the On3 Industry Ranking. He grew up in an Alabama household in southern California. He is also a Georgia commitment. Alabama needed to knock it out of the park, and, according to his father, Gerald, the Tide did an amazing job during the family’s return to the Capstone.

(Gerald) Woodyard is originally from Mobile, Alabama. He has been in California for most of his life after moving to Sacramento in elementary school. He is now Deputy Chief of the South Bureau for the Los Angeles Police Department.

Woodyard attended Long Beach State on a football scholarship. He may have dropped everything to run to Tuscaloosa if there had been an opportunity to play football for the Crimson Tide. Gerald grew up an Alabama fan and remains one to this day. His entire side of the family are big fans of Nick Saban’s program.

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He noted there is a bond between himself and other members of the LAPD who are Tide fans. His great-grandmother was also born in Tuscaloosa before moving to Mobile. There is still family in Alabama and in the South, most notably Atlanta with all still cheering for the Tide.

The family may follow Alabama closely, and always will, but this is Peyton’s decision. It is one the family completely supports. Woodyard committed to Georgia on January 7. He earned an offer from Alabama in June 2021 after attending camp, but did not return to Tuscaloosa for a second visit until April (2023).

There were coaching staff changes during the time-span from defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson joining the staff in 2022, and a change at defensive coordinator with Pete Golding to Kevin Steele. Contact was minimal compared to other schools and Georgia was able to capitalize.

The commitment to the Bulldogs sent a message to Alabama. It was time to take a swing, with plenty of time remaining in the recruiting process. T-Rob and Holmon Wiggins (area recruiter), were able to secure a second visit on April 13.

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A priority target for Alabama

Peyton Woodyard photo shoot during official visit to Alabama.

Alabama wanted Woodyard in its class and make sure Peyton and his family knew he was on Coach Saban’s wish list. Woodyard returned to Alabama after taking official visits this month to Georgia, USC and Ohio State.

The important question this past weekend– Does Alabama really want Woodyard in its class?

They Woodyards received their answer.

“Everyone says the word priority, but I really wanted to know are they interested because he’s committed to Georgia or do they really want my son,” Gerald Woodyard told BOL on Monday. “The first day we arrived we had an opportunity to meet everyone at the facility, and then rode to dinner with Coach Saban and his wife, Mrs. Terry.

“My wife (Nora) and I were in the backseat with Mrs. Terry. Peyton was in the front with Coach Saban. I watched Coach Saban just chopping it up with Peyton. That meant a lot to me. It felt natural and comfortable. It didn’t feel like a performance. It wasn’t your typical recruiting lingo. I really appreciated how they interacted with me and my wife.”

Let’s circle back to the word that’s often used for top high school football recruits- priority. Woodyard fits the criteria for all schools on the list of contenders. Alabama laid out the plan it has in place for the Top 100 safety. It’s something the family sees as a unique opportunity.

“To be able to sit down and see the plan they had mapped out for Peyton really made us feel like a priority,” his father said. “Peyton plays in a similar style defense at Bosco. He has an intimate understanding of the defense. He would have an opportunity to come in and make an immediate impact.

“He will have to work hard for it. Nick Saban said he (Peyton) is one of, if not the top safety recruit in the country. That’s really exciting to hear that coming from his mouth. He’s also intimately involved in coaching defensive backs. It’s just a really good opportunity.”

Future goals in place

Alabama pushing hard for Peyton Woodyard.

Woodyard has clear goals according to his father: Graduate in three years, play for a coach with a proven track record and win a championship. Alabama, along with the other schools, check the boxes.

“I think he has to look at their track record, the defense they run, the architect behind the defense along with the opportunity to also be coached by T-Rob and Coach Saban,” he said. “We will have those conversations as a family. The visit to Alabama didn’t do anything to hurt their chances in our opinion.”

The time has not been available yet for the family to sit down and discuss what’s the next step in the process. Woodyard might decide to take more visits this fall. He might decide to announce a final decision soon. This an important decision on where Woodyard will spend the next three-four years.

“You always hear about a ‘family atmosphere’ at schools, but a lot of that is just a production, (Gerald) Woodyard said. “You notice the sidebar interactions with the coaching staffs. Spending time talking with Mrs. Terry and Coach Saban was invaluable. You see the actions and how they interact. Nick Saban is going to hold kids accountable on-and-off the field.

“It really was a great weekend. The sky is the limit as far as his degree. He plans on majoring in Communications and Business. You see the graduation rate (at Alabama), and it’s 93-percent. That’s huge! All kids and parents want the degree because football will end one day.

“It really was a great weekend. I know talking to Caleb (Downs) appealed to him (Peyton) as well. The visit to Alabama gave us a clearer picture of what they have to offer. I can say Alabama has given us a lot to think about.”

Does Peyton Woodyard become the next elite prospect from California to sign with the Crimson Tide?

Stay tuned to BOL for the latest news regarding the priority defensive target.

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