Ohio State 2025 DB commit Jontae Gilbert schedules return visit to Alabama

Across all four major recruiting media services, Atlanta (Ga.) Douglass High School’s Jontae Gilbert is a top-50 overall prospect in the Class of 2025. As such, programs across the country are not giving up on the highly rated defensive back, who committed to Ohio State last July.

“Still committed, but looking at other schools right now,” Gilbert told BamaInsider after practice last week. “USC, Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Tennessee. Also, Auburn.”

Gilbert visited Alabama twice this spring, once for a practice and the other for A-Day Game. His March 24 trip resulted in an offer from the Crimson Tide. Gilbert now says that he’s scheduled to return to Tuscaloosa on June 21 for a camp and traditional unofficial visit.

The main reason why Bama is of high consideration for Gilbert?

“Really, working with Nick Saban,” Gilbert said. “I feel like he’s the best coach to ever coach the game. It’s good. That’s great spending time with the head coach all the time.”

On his two visits to T-Town this year, Gilbert took notice of Saban’s involvement with the defensive backs in practice and meetings.

“The way the guys practice,” Gilbert said. “It’s high intensity. Coach Saban is really hands on with them, so I really like that… guys were flying around and doing their jobs well [at the spring game].”

Jontae Gilbert on Alabama: “If you want to get developed, you go there.”

Not surprisingly, defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson is Gilbert’s primary recruiter from Alabama. Robinson stopped by Douglass High School this month for an in-person evaluation of the No. 7 rising junior from Georgia, though Gilbert wasn’t there that day.

“We’re starting to build a good relationship,” Gilbert said of Robinson. “He really wants me in this class bad… he likes that I play all over the field. Safety, corner, all of that. My range, he likes that. Coach Saban, he likes that, too.”

Click HERE to watch Jontae Gilbert’s sophomore season highlights!

Gilbert, who is being recruited by Alabama as a corner, has drawn a comparison to a current star player for the Tide.

“They actually said I play like Kool-Aid a little bit,” Gilbert said. “It was great because he was one of the best coming out of his class.”

All in all, Alabama’s player development and winning tradition are also standing out to Gilbert.

“If you want to get developed, you go there,” Gilbert said. “If you want to win championships, you go there. Being coached by the best is good.”

Bama is in the mix for him, but Gilbert cited Georgia and Tennessee as the biggest threats to Ohio State in his recruitment right now. He’s gearing up to take visits to Tennessee next Wednesday, then South Carolina on June 2.

Gilbert is considering other schools, but remains committed and frequently communicates with a trio of Buckeye coaches.

“I do kind of feel like it was an early commitment,” Gilbert said. “Still got a good relationship with Coach [Tim] Walton, Coach [Perry] Eliano, and Coach [Ryan] Day. They still love me. But I’m also considering other schools right now.”

Reclassification is a big talking point for some top rising juniors. A reclassification to the Class of 2024 is not off the table for Gilbert.

“I have been thinking about that. I’m taking early college classes, so I’m thinking about that,” Gilbert said. “I just want to get on the field early. That’s all. As soon as possible.”

Alabama fans, also be sure to join the discussion about Jontae Gilbert on the Talk of Champions message board. There’s always a lot of great team, recruiting, and off-topic conversations going on. So, we look forward to talking with you all there!

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