Big news out of Tuscaloosa: Alabama football has added another standout to its 2027 recruiting class, and this one comes straight from rival territory.
Kenneth Simon II, a four-star linebacker from Tennessee, announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide on Monday, May 11, choosing Alabama over Georgia, Ole Miss, and his home-state Volunteers. The news, first reported by On3, gives the Tide a versatile defensive weapon with a pedigree that runs deep in the sport.
Simon is the third defensive player to join Alabama's 2027 class, following Mobile three-star Avrian Pauley Jr. and Georgia three-star EDGE Stevan Thornton III. According to 247Sports' composite rankings, Simon checks in as the No. 133 player nationally and the No. 10 linebacker in the country.
If he ultimately signs, Simon would become the first Tennessee player to ink with Alabama since wide receiver Amari Jefferson in the 2024 recruiting cycle—a notable achievement given the intensity of that border rivalry.
What makes Simon such an intriguing prospect? Let's start with his story. The son of Kevin Simon, a former Tennessee and NFL linebacker, Kenneth Simon II began his high school career as a safety at Bearden High School in Knoxville before transferring to Brentwood Academy for his junior season. That background in the secondary gives him a rare blend of speed and coverage instincts for a linebacker.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, Simon has the classic build of a 3-4 middle linebacker, but his production at Brentwood Academy shows he's far more than just a frame. He racked up eight tackles-for-loss and 4.5 sacks, added an interception, a pass breakup, and a blocked kick, and even contributed on offense with 64 rushing yards and a touchdown, plus 129 yards on kick returns.
While he may not yet have the bulk of a typical Crimson Tide linebacker, Simon's experience as a multi-positional playmaker makes him a jack-of-all-trades. He's a ferocious tackler who can impact the game at every level of the defense, and as he continues to develop, he fits perfectly into the mold Alabama sees for him.
Simon joins a 2027 Alabama linebacker room that lacks proven experience heading into 2026 but is brimming with potential—including five-star standout Xavier Griffin. For fans eager to see how this class takes shape, Simon's commitment is a major step forward.
Whether you're tracking the next generation of Crimson Tide stars or just love seeing a legacy player carve his own path, this is one name to remember.