Nation's No. 1 RB Reveals SEC Team as 'Dream School'

Aug 19, 2025 6:10 PM EDT

Running back Zaiden Jernigan out of Louisville, Mississippi, has established himself as one of the most sought-after players in the 2028 recruiting class.

Rivals Industry Rankings place him as a four-star prospect, the No. 1 running back, the No. 1 player in Mississippi and the No. 22 player in the nation.

Last year, as a freshman at Louisville High School, he was amazing, rushing the ball 179 times for 1,386 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also hauled in nine interceptions for 116 yards and one touchdown.

Residing in Mississippi, Jernigan is in the heart of SEC country, and while talking to Rivals’ Chad Simmons, he revealed his longtime love for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

“Alabama was my dream school,” Jernigan said. “I grew up watching their running backs and their explosive offense. Jahmyr Gibbs, Derrick Henry and Najee Harris are three of my favorites.”

Louisville High School running back Zaiden Jernigan (8) said the Alabama Crimson Tide was his dream school. — Source: Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

That’s exciting news for Alabama, which has been recruiting running backs well the past few years, landing four-star Ezavier Crowell (No. 3 RB) in the 2026 class and four-star Akylin Dear (No. 2 RB) in the 2025 class.

Alabama Has Not Offered Jernigan

Despite Jernigan showing a clear interest in the Crimson Tide, the program has yet to offer the running back a scholarship.

It’s not as though Alabama hasn’t already looked into the 2028 recruiting class either, already handing out 27 offers to a wide variety of different positions. That even includes one running back in the form of four-star Kevin Hartsfield (No. 7 RB).

Alabama still has plenty of time to make a move, but if they do, they’ll be going up against several powerhouses, including Florida State, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Texas A&M, who have all extended offers according to Simmons.