Breaking: Four-Star Quarterback Jett Thomalla Flips Commitment from Iowa State to Alabama in Major Recruiting Win for Tide

In a major shakeup on the college football recruiting trail, four-star quarterback Jett Thomalla has flipped his commitment from Iowa State to Alabama, according to 247Sports. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound signal-caller from Omaha, Nebraska, is now officially bound for Tuscaloosa, giving the Crimson Tide yet another blue-chip boost as new head coach Kalen DeBoer continues to assert his dominance on the recruiting front.

Thomalla had been committed to Iowa State since late last year and was widely regarded as a cornerstone of the Cyclones’ 2025 recruiting class. A gifted passer with a high ceiling and a growing national profile, Thomalla made waves across the Midwest with his strong junior season, where he threw for over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns while leading Omaha Westside High School to a deep playoff run.

But the allure of playing SEC football — and for one of the most storied programs in college football — ultimately proved too great to pass up.

Sources close to Thomalla’s recruitment say Alabama made a strong late push, spearheaded by DeBoer and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, who sold the Nebraska native on a vision that meshed perfectly with his aspirations: developing in a pro-style system, competing on a national stage, and preparing for the NFL in a quarterback-friendly environment.

It’s a narrative Alabama has lived by in recent years. The Crimson Tide’s track record at the quarterback position — from Tua Tagovailoa to Mac Jones to Bryce Young — speaks for itself. And it’s a story that continues to resonate with top-tier passers across the country, including Thomalla.

His flip comes just weeks after his unofficial visit to Alabama, a trip that sources now say was the turning point. From touring the facilities to sitting in on quarterback meetings, and most importantly, connecting with the Tide’s new coaching staff, Thomalla began to see a future that extended beyond college success.

Alabama’s recruiting class, already loaded with elite talent, now has its quarterback — and a big one at that.

At 6-foot-4, Thomalla possesses the ideal size and frame that scouts crave at the next level. His mechanics are clean, his arm strength impressive, and he’s equally adept at throwing on the run. But it’s his poise under pressure and leadership qualities that have drawn the most praise from evaluators. Known for his film study habits and football IQ, Thomalla commands the huddle and makes mature decisions — traits Alabama covets in its quarterbacks.

With his commitment now official, Alabama fans can begin dreaming about what’s next. And for Iowa State, it’s a bitter pill to swallow. The Cyclones had built their 2025 class around Thomalla and had pinned their future quarterback hopes on the talented Nebraskan. Losing a player of his caliber to an SEC powerhouse is a painful reminder of the ever-changing dynamics of modern recruiting.

This isn’t the first time Alabama has poached a high-profile commit from another program, and it likely won’t be the last under DeBoer. Since taking over from Nick Saban, DeBoer has been aggressive in maintaining Alabama’s elite recruiting standards. In fact, this latest flip might be his most symbolic victory yet, signaling to the rest of the country that Alabama isn’t going anywhere.

Despite only being in Tuscaloosa for a short time, DeBoer has already demonstrated that he can navigate the high-pressure recruiting landscape with surgical precision. Landing Thomalla proves he can still attract elite quarterbacks — arguably the most important position in football — even while transitioning into the shadows of one of the greatest coaches in college football history.

The message to future recruits is loud and clear: Alabama remains a destination.

For Thomalla, the decision may have come with mixed emotions. Flipping from Iowa State, a program that identified him early and developed a strong relationship, was never going to be easy. But the chance to compete in the SEC, to challenge himself against the best defensive talent in the nation, and to be developed by a coaching staff with NFL experience tipped the scales.

He joins a Crimson Tide quarterback room that already features talent, but Alabama isn’t known for handing out starting jobs lightly. Thomalla will be expected to earn every rep, compete at the highest level, and rise through the ranks — all while being groomed for potential stardom.

Recruiting analysts are already recalibrating their projections for Alabama’s 2025 class, which is now surging up the national rankings. Thomalla’s addition is expected to push the Tide into the top five, if not higher, depending on how other targets fall into place in the coming months.

But the flip has implications beyond just numbers. It signals that Alabama is willing to go into Big 12 territory and pull out top-tier recruits, even those already committed elsewhere. It’s a move that requires confidence, strategic planning, and a willingness to compete at every turn. DeBoer and his staff executed it flawlessly.

For Iowa State, the path forward gets trickier. Head coach Matt Campbell now finds himself scrambling to replace a quarterback who was not only highly ranked but also beloved by fans and trusted by coaches. Reopening that portion of the recruiting board this late in the cycle is no easy task, especially given the thin pool of elite passers still available.

Meanwhile, Alabama’s fan base has plenty to be excited about. Thomalla represents more than just a great quarterback prospect; he represents momentum. He represents belief in a new era. He represents the kind of commitment that keeps Alabama among college football’s elite — even after a historic coaching transition.

Thomalla’s high school coach, Tony Fontenelle, praised his quarterback’s decision-making maturity in the recruiting process.

“Jett didn’t make this decision lightly,” Fontenelle told 247Sports. “He respects Iowa State and appreciates everything they’ve done for him. But at the end of the day, he had to make the best decision for his future. He wants to compete at the highest level, and Alabama gives him that opportunity.”

Fontenelle’s words underscore just how difficult — and ultimately transformative — this decision may be for Thomalla. Choosing between loyalty and opportunity is a challenge many young athletes face. But in today’s college football landscape, opportunity often wins out — especially when it comes in the form of Alabama Crimson.

As for what Alabama fans can expect, Thomalla brings both production and potential. He has the arm to stretch defenses vertically, the agility to escape collapsing pockets, and the intelligence to read complex defensive schemes. If developed correctly — and there’s every reason to believe he will be — Thomalla could become the next great Alabama quarterback.

And perhaps more importantly, he could be the quarterback who ushers in the DeBoer era with fireworks.

In an age where flips are increasingly common and commitments often resemble placeholders more than promises, landing a player of Thomalla’s caliber still feels significant. Because for all the changes college football has undergone, one thing remains true — elite quarterbacks win games, and great programs know how to get them.

Alabama just got one. Again.