The Alabama Crimson Tide’s recruiting team secured a major commitment from 2025 tight end Marshall Pritchett, but the response has been unusual.
While Pritchett, his family, and Crimson Tide fans were thrilled about the commitment, others were surprised. Many anticipated the commitment, but the sudden rise in Pritchett’s ranking raised eyebrows.
Previously considered an under-the-radar prospect, Pritchett jumped from 745th to 222nd in the 2025 class rankings the day he committed. His rating also increased from 87 to 90. This significant change followed his earlier commitment to the UNC Tar Heels, but a flip was expected due to UNC’s on-field performance.
Pritchett has had a strong season, making his decommitment from UNC likely, especially given his rise in offers and rankings. However, the ranking adjustment only came after his commitment to Alabama was announced, which some of his supporters found odd. His ranking had previously dropped from 378th to 745th as new recruits were added, despite his strong performances.
The shift in Pritchett’s ranking underscores a broader issue with how recruiting databases handle updates, often adjusting rankings drastically after a commitment rather than progressively as players perform. Pritchett’s drop in attention after committing to UNC resulted in an overdue boost when he flipped to Alabama.
Despite the ranking controversy, Pritchett has had an impressive season, with over 400 receiving yards and six touchdowns. As a junior, he also tallied six touchdowns and helped lead his team to 13 wins and only one loss.
