COMMITTED 🐘🏈 Alabama Crimson Tide Flip Elite 2026 OT Bear Fretwell From Georgia Tech in Major Recruiting Win

The Alabama Crimson Tide just landed a significant recruiting victory, flipping 2026 four-star offensive tackle Bear Fretwell from Georgia Tech in a move that reverberated across the recruiting landscape on Friday afternoon. The 6-foot-6, 290-pound mauler out of Lambert High School in Suwanee, Georgia, had been committed to Georgia Tech since early spring, but Alabama’s persistence, program pedigree, and strong development reputation ultimately won out.

Fretwell becomes the 21st commitment in Alabama’s growing 2026 class, one that is now surging into the upper tier of national rankings. With offers from Florida State, Cincinnati, Northwestern, UCF, and South Carolina, among others, Fretwell was one of the most coveted offensive line prospects in the Southeast. And now, he’s headed to Tuscaloosa.

“I want to thank Coach Key and the entire Georgia Tech staff for believing in me,” Fretwell wrote in a social media post. “After a lot of thought, prayer, and conversations with my family, I’ve decided to flip my commitment to The University of Alabama. Roll Tide!”

The flip comes after months of speculation that Fretwell, despite being verbally committed to the Yellow Jackets, was still in close contact with Alabama offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic and head coach Kalen DeBoer. Fretwell visited Tuscaloosa multiple times during the spring and early summer and had maintained strong ties with several Alabama commits throughout the process. Those relationships and the Crimson Tide’s recent momentum on the trail proved decisive.

What Alabama is getting in Fretwell is an athletic, powerful left tackle who has shown the ability to dominate in both pass protection and the run game. His film reveals a technically sound blocker with quick feet, good hand placement, and a mean streak that SEC offensive line coaches covet. At Lambert, Fretwell started as a sophomore and quickly became a regional standout, drawing college attention with his combination of size, intelligence, and physicality.

“He’s the kind of kid who walks into a room and looks like an NFL lineman already,” Lambert head coach Tommy Watson said. “But what makes Bear special is his commitment to getting better every day. He wants to be coached hard. Alabama is getting a young man who will thrive in that environment.”

Recruiting analysts are bullish on Fretwell’s upside. He’s ranked as a top-20 offensive tackle nationally and a top-200 player overall in the 2026 class. 247Sports scouting analyst Cooper Petagna noted that Fretwell’s lower-body strength and natural leverage give him the tools to contribute early once he gets to campus.

“He plays with an edge and finishes blocks through the whistle,” Petagna said. “He has the frame you look for, and he’s still growing into it. Once he gets into a college strength program, he could develop into a multi-year starter and potentially an NFL Draft pick.”

Alabama’s 2026 class was already loaded in the trenches before Fretwell’s commitment, but his addition adds even more depth and high-end potential. He joins fellow offensive line commits like four-star tackle Mason Trotter out of Texas and in-state standout Benji Ford from Hoover High. The Crimson Tide are clearly placing an emphasis on fortifying the line of scrimmage for the future.

The timing of Fretwell’s flip is also notable. Alabama’s coaching staff has been hitting the recruiting trail hard throughout July, hosting several major events including the Champions Cookout and elite summer camp weekends. Multiple commits have said the atmosphere and attention to detail during those visits have helped create a bond between future teammates — and that camaraderie played a role in Fretwell’s decision.

“I talked to Bear a lot,” said Alabama quarterback commit K.J. Lattimore, a top-50 prospect in his own right. “We all wanted him in this class. He fits the culture we’re building. He’s a guy who can protect me for four years, and I told him that.”

This flip is not only a blow to Georgia Tech, which was hoping to build its 2026 class around in-state talent like Fretwell, but also a testament to Alabama’s ability to close on elite players, even those already pledged elsewhere. In the new NIL-driven era of recruiting, relationships, development history, and exposure remain critical — and few programs offer the total package like Alabama.

For Coach Kalen DeBoer, who took over for Nick Saban in early 2024, this is another statement win. Flipping a blue-chip offensive lineman from a Power Five rival reflects the program’s continued relevance and appeal under new leadership. Though DeBoer is still early in his tenure, he and his staff have shown the ability to evaluate, connect, and close with top-tier talent.

Alabama’s offensive line room has seen significant turnover in the past two recruiting cycles, with several veterans graduating or heading to the NFL. That has created an opportunity for young players to rise — and with players like Fretwell on the way, the foundation for the next generation is being laid.

Beyond his physical tools, Fretwell brings a leadership presence to the locker room. Coaches and teammates describe him as humble, hardworking, and team-first. He’s also a strong student, carrying a 3.7 GPA and taking advanced coursework in engineering and science.

“He’s the kind of guy you build your team around,” Coach Watson added. “And he’s going to a program where that mindset will be rewarded.”

In a recent interview, Fretwell said that while he was initially drawn to Georgia Tech’s academic prestige and early opportunity to play, his heart had shifted over the last couple of months. Alabama’s commitment to developing offensive linemen — with recent examples like JC Latham and Evan Neal turning into first-round draft picks — played a major role in his decision.

“The way they develop guys at Bama, it’s just different,” Fretwell said. “When I watched their practices and talked to the coaching staff, it felt like home. I could see myself becoming the best version of me there.”

For now, Bear Fretwell will return to his high school season as a national name to watch in the junior ranks. But come signing day in 2026, all signs point to him wearing crimson. With another high-profile addition to the offensive line group, Alabama fans have even more reason to be excited about the future in Tuscaloosa.

And for Fretwell, it’s about more than flipping a commitment. It’s about chasing greatness.

“Alabama is where I want to be,” he said. “That’s where I want to win championships. That’s where I want to grow. I’m ready to get to work.”

Roll Tide.