Omaha native and Millard South class of 2026 quarterback, Jett Thomalla, will now head to Tuscaloosa, AL and join the 18-time national champion program of Alabama after his high school career concludes.
Thomalla withdrew his commitment from Iowa State on June 17, declaring his flip to Alabama that same day. He said the coaching staff’s support helped him make this decision so he could follow his dreams.
“My goal and dream is to go to the NFL and I felt like Alabama was the place that could do the best for me,” Thomalla told Hurrdat Sports’ Mike Sautter.
Thomalla has showcased his maturity throughout the entire recruiting process. He said with how fast everything has happened, he has grown and learned a lot.
“Two years ago if you told [me] I was going to go to Alabama, I would not believe it,” Thomalla said. “So, I feel it’s matured me a lot. Just growing up a lot faster and [I’ll be] going really far away from home, so I’m going to have to keep on maturing.”
In June, Thomalla participated in the Elite 11 quarterback competition in Los Angeles. The Elite 11 is a competition where 20 of the top high school rising senior quarterbacks from across the country compete in a three-day event where an MVP and 10 other finalists are named.
Thomalla was selected as a finalist and said he learned a lot while taking part in this year’s event.
“Just learning from the guys… They’re a bunch of competitors, and I might play with [or] against some of them in the future,” Thomalla said. “Maybe even on the same team, who knows. But, I learned a lot from them, just the way they do stuff. I feel like we all kind of learned from each other, just talking. And then, the coaches are great. I learned a lot. Just foot work, foot speed, where my eyes should be at.”
According to On3, Thomalla is a four-star quarterback and the 13th best QB in the class of 2026.
During his junior season, the signal-caller threw for 3,663 yards with 47 touchdowns and three interceptions. Thomalla rushed for 76 yards and one touchdown. He also helped lead the Patriots to an overall record of 12-1 and won the team’s first Class A championship title since 2010.
Thomalla said that he’s excited to play for the Crimson Tide and that the team will be getting a player that is ready to compete.
“[They’re getting] a kid that’s going to come in and prove that I’m a really good player,” Thomalla said. “No one really cares if you’re a five star, four star [or] three star when you go into college.
“Just someone that’s going to be there early in the morning before everything starts, watching film and then staying after. Just a guy that’s going to work hard. Going to a place like Alabama, you really [have] to prove yourself, so it’s one thing I’m going to have to do.”
