Following in his father’s footsteps, Gadsden standout Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. has committed to play for the University of Alabama.

It will mark the first time that Nick Saban has coached the son of a former player. Kirkpatrick Sr. played for Saban from 2009-11, eventually going onto to being selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

“Everything out of me, I am going to put my heart into the game,” Kirkpatrick Jr. said of his commitment to the Tide. “I am going to make sure I respect the game, give it all I got. The day I can’t give it all I got, (that’s) the day I won’t play no more.”

I’m %1000 percent committed ? ⚪️?⚪️#RTR @TDAlabamaMag @AL6AFootball @TDARecruiting @AlabamaFBScoop @PrepRedzoneAL @ChadSimmons_ @On3Recruits @SWiltfong247 @AL_Recruiting @AlabamaFTBL @AndrewJBone @RivalsFriedman @gctitansfb pic.twitter.com/j9cK0yKM87

— Dre Kirkpatrick jr (@KirkpatrickDre) August 20, 2023

Kirkpatrick Jr., a defensive back, is a three-star recruit, according to 247Sports.

The 6-foot, 190-pound safety chose to play for Alabama over other SEC teams including Auburn, Missouri, and Tennessee.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.