SHOCKWAVE HITS COLLEGE FOOTBALL: 7’4″, 400-Pound Freak Athlete Flips from Georgia to Alabama in Recruiting Stunner
TUSCALOOSA, AL — July 5, 2025
College football just experienced one of the most jaw-dropping recruiting flips in recent memory. Malik “Mt. Olympus” Riggins, a 7-foot-4, 400-pound two-way phenom—hailed as the most physically imposing prospect in the history of the sport—has decommitted from Georgia and officially flipped to the University of Alabama, sending shockwaves through the SEC and the entire college football world.
Ranked as the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2025 class and the No. 1 athlete, Riggins is a generational talent. Originally committed to Georgia last fall, Malik was long considered the Bulldogs’ next great trench weapon—capable of playing defensive tackle, offensive guard, or even tight end in jumbo packages. His rare size, 85-inch wingspan, and freakish agility for a man his size have earned him comparisons to a mix of Aaron Donald, Jordan Davis, and Trent Williams… if they were all one person.
But early this morning, in a surprise announcement broadcast live on ESPN and streamed globally, Malik stunned the nation by pulling off a crimson Alabama cap and declaring:
> “I respect Georgia. But Alabama? That’s where legends are forged. It’s not just a program—it’s a legacy. Coach DeBoer made me believe I could be more than a player. I could be a force.”
THE BACKSTORY
The Savannah, Georgia native had been a silent commit to the Bulldogs since his sophomore year. He even starred in a viral video lifting a tractor tire in a Georgia hoodie while running 4.9 in the 40. NIL collectives were already preparing for his arrival in Athens, with rumored endorsement packages approaching $2.8 million.
But sources close to Riggins’ camp say Alabama never stopped recruiting him. Since taking the reins from Nick Saban, Head Coach Kalen DeBoer and his revamped staff quietly forged a deep connection with the Riggins family—particularly with Malik’s mother, a former Army sergeant, who appreciated Alabama’s emphasis on discipline, education, and long-term development.
> “They didn’t sell him on money. They sold him on becoming a man,” one family friend said.
The turning point reportedly came during an unofficial visit to Tuscaloosa in late June, when Riggins met with NFL scouts attending Bama’s summer camp. After watching him bulldoze two five-star linemen in one-on-one drills, multiple scouts were overheard calling him a “once-in-a-century talent.”
INSTANT IMPACT
Malik is expected to play both sides of the ball for Alabama—an unprecedented move for someone of his size in modern college football. Listed at 7’4″, 400 pounds, with a 6’10” standing reach, he can block field goals without jumping and has already broken three blocking sleds in high school workouts.
Alabama insiders believe he could start Day 1 at nose tackle or left guard—and see meaningful reps in short-yardage as a tight end.
> “We’ve never seen anything like him,” said Alabama Strength Coach Josh Ihara. “He’s a planet with feet. And he moves.”
RECRUITING RIPPLE EFFECT
The flip immediately dropped Georgia from No. 1 to No. 4 in the 247Sports composite rankings, while Alabama soared to the No. 1 spot in the 2025 class, with analysts calling this class the “new 2017 Bama standard.”
Social media exploded with reactions. Georgia fans expressed heartbreak, while Alabama fans welcomed Riggins with open arms. NFL players, including Myles Garrett, Trent Williams, and Derrick Henry, posted congratulatory messages. Riggins, ever humble, simply tweeted:
> “Time to go to work. ”
LOOKING AHEAD
Malik “Mt. Olympus” Riggins is now more than just a recruit—he’s a symbol of Alabama’s post-Saban resurgence, a terrifying mismatch for anyone on the schedule, and the most talked-about name in the sport.
As one anonymous SEC coach put it:
> “He’s the kind of player who gets you fired—or gets you rings.”
College football has just been changed. And Malik Riggins is at the epicenter of the storm.
Coverage of SEC Media Days continues next week, where Coach DeBoer is expected to formally introduce Riggins as part of Alabama’s 2025 class. Stay tuned for our exclusive feature: “Mt. Olympus: Building a Giant.”
