Alabama DL commit Antonio Coleman reflects on decision

In late February, Saraland (Ala.) High School’s Antonio Coleman knew that he would be rejoining Alabama’s 2025 class.

Coleman, at the time an Auburn commit, had visited Tuscaloosa earlier that month. The visit was a massive success for the Crimson Tide in their pursuit of him. Getting back on campus, the players telling him there wasn’t much of a difference with Kalen DeBoer , and him wanting to compete against those players pushed Coleman toward Bama again.

After talking it over with his family on March 1, Coleman flipped his commitment to Alabama a day later. As important as that junior day visit was in his decision, so was the retaining of defensive line coach Freddie Roach on the staff.

“What played into this decision, in my opinion, is the development standpoint,” Coleman told BamaOnLine . “I feel like Coach Roach has been doing this a long time. I feel like Coach Roach can develop me and make me a D1 defensive lineman.”

Coleman, the No. 12 defensive lineman in the 2025 On300, was offered by the previous staff just over a year ago. With a strong relationship with Roach that goes back even further, Coleman sees him as more than just his future d-line coach.

“I definitely feel like Coach Roach is more than just a coach,” Coleman said. “I feel like he’s also a father figure. He’s going to tell you right from wrong, and he knows when it’s time to work and when it’s time to correct you on something that can help you 40 years from now.”

While Saraland to Tuscaloosa is only a few hours away, there is some comfort in knowing that he won’t be around a completely new staff at the next level.

Along with Roach, Coleman has connections with defensive coordinator Kane Wommack , several players, and some support staff members.

“He’s really always by my side,” Coleman said of Roach. “He always tells me, ‘Hey, can’t wait for you to get up here. We’re going to dominate once you do get up here.’ [Having him there] is tremendously big. It still feels like home. I’m comfortable around the people that’s around me. It’s definitely a comfort zone and makes me feel not out of place.

“There are a lot of people I know there that have been around for a long time. A lot of connections. It definitely feels like home. Nothing different. You’re just at a great school with great coaches and great players around you.”

Coleman will return to Alabama on April 6 to see the team in a live setting. He’s looking forward to seeing how the defensive linemen and Jalen Milroe do, as well as how the players are coached at Bama.

Alabama’s 5-star WR signee played a role in Coleman’s decision

As mentioned above, Coleman won’t be around unfamiliar faces at the next level.

His former teammate, Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver signee Ryan Williams , is heading to Bama in a couple of months, and congratulated him following his flip.

“He was just like, ‘Welcome home.’ That’s my dog. We’ve been playing since park ball, so it was a warm welcoming from him and I appreciate him for that,” Coleman said. “Definitely want to play with him at the next level. I really just chose where my heart told me to go, but I also looked into the standpoint that I’m going to play with my longtime friend, too.”

Coleman is still getting to know head coach Kalen DeBoer after spending a good amount of time around him during that Feb. 3 visit. Based on what he’s seen and learned about him thus far, however, the four-star prospect has high hopes for the Tide moving forward.

“I feel like Coach DeBoer is definitely a more modern coach. He’s definitely a great guy,” Coleman said. “Coming over from taking Washington to the national championship, I definitely feel like he can do it again next year. He’s a great coach, in my opinion. I definitely would like to build that bond with him even more.”

A new face for Alabama’s staff — but a familiar one for Coleman — is former South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack. Coleman shared his thoughts on how he’d fit into the 4-2-5 defensive scheme run by Wommack, who is his area recruiter.

“Coach Wommack and I have definitely have had a connection since when he was at South Alabama,” Coleman said. “We’ve talked about it, and I’m predominately going to play the three-tech. I’m probably going to play a little bit of nose also. I can’t wait to figure out where I’m going to play.”

Coleman is still in the process of gathering names to recruit for Bama to add to their No. 6 2025 class.

When it comes time to put on the recruiting hat, Coleman will deliver the following recruiting pitch.

“My message is, first off, choose wherever your heart leads you,” Coleman said. “Second off, Alabama is just a great place to be at. Great environment, great atmosphere, great academics, and there are a lot of resources here that are going to get you to the next level.”

Coleman talks visit plans, commitment status with Bama

Ryan Williams is not the only connection on the team that Coleman will have when he arrives on campus. Coleman, who will be a mid-year enrollee, says that he’s built relationships with a handful of Tide players.

“I’ve got my boy Jihaad Campbell , Isaia Faga , Sterling Dixon , No. 6 the wide receiver [ Kobe Prentice ]. Those are my dogs right there. And Red [Morgan] ,” Coleman said. “It played a major role. I was just seeing how Alabama was developing those guys. Getting those guys’ bodies bigger, especially the freshmen that they just got on campus. That definitely inspired me to go there. They got developed that fast, just imagine how I’ll be.

“Just really the development, how they talk, how they carry themselves, and their swag,” Coleman continued. “It says a lot about them, and I would love to be a part of that.”

Looking at his recruitment in general, Coleman says he’s hearing from Auburn, Florida, Jacksonville State, Miami, Notre Dame, Penn State, South Alabama, Texas, USC, and others.

He’s thinking about taking visits to Auburn, Miami, Texas, and USC. No dates have been scheduled yet, and Coleman is still not sure if he will use his official visits elsewhere.

Coleman stated that Alabama is “definitely” going to get an official visit from him. That could potentially be for the Iron Bowl the last weekend of November, which is right before he signs. Coleman intends on signing on Dec. 4 and enrolling the next month.

“My commitment status definitely right now is 100 percent,” Coleman said. “I feel like I’m going to rock with them all the way.”

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