Dunlap High School senior Mack Sutter, a four-star college football recruit who garnered an astonishing forty-five Division I offers, announced his commitment to the SEC powerhouse University of Alabama in an enthusiastic gathering Thursday, June 26, 2025 at Weaver’s Fresh Food & Drink in Peoria

In a jubilant and deeply personal ceremony that blended small-town pride with big-time college football buzz, Dunlap High School senior Mack Sutter, one of the most sought-after recruits in the nation, announced his commitment to the University of Alabama — choosing the Crimson Tide over a staggering 45 Division I offers. The announcement came Thursday, June 26, 2025, at a standing-room-only event at Weaver’s Fresh Food & Drink in Peoria, Illinois.

Sutter, a four-star athlete ranked among the top 10 edge rushers in the country by 247Sports and Rivals, revealed his choice by unzipping a custom jacket to unveil a crimson Alabama shirt with the words “Built by Bama” stitched across the chest. The crowd of friends, family, teammates, coaches, and media erupted into applause, with chants of “Roll Tide!” echoing through the restaurant.

“I’m going to Tuscaloosa,” Sutter said, beaming. “I’m committing to the University of Alabama. I’m ready to be a part of something legendary.”

Sutter’s journey to national prominence is a testament to grit, discipline, and a motor that never quits. Hailing from Dunlap, a suburb of Peoria not often recognized as a football recruiting hotspot, Sutter quickly made a name for himself as a game-wrecking defender with elite speed off the edge, violent hands, and the kind of relentless pursuit that made offensive coordinators lose sleep.

Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 240 pounds with a wingspan that scouts called “SEC-ready,” Sutter racked up 78 tackles, 22 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 2 defensive touchdowns during his junior season — all while maintaining a 4.1 GPA and leading the Eagles to the IHSA state semifinals.

“Every coach that came through our doors left saying the same thing: ‘He’s the real deal,’” said Dunlap head coach Mike Greenwald. “But more than that, he’s a leader. A locker room cornerstone. Bama isn’t just getting a football player — they’re getting a program changer.”

Over the past 18 months, Sutter’s recruitment turned into a national spectacle. He earned offers from Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, LSU, Notre Dame, USC, Florida State, and Texas — just to name a few. Head coaches made personal visits. Helicopters landed on the Dunlap practice field. NIL collectives began circling.

“It was overwhelming at times,” Sutter admitted. “There were days when it felt like my phone never stopped buzzing. But I never let it change who I am. I kept the main thing the main thing: getting better every day.”

In the end, the decision came down to a final five: Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, Illinois, and Oregon. Sutter took official visits to each campus, spending time with players, meeting professors, and even shadowing film study sessions.

But one visit stood above the rest.

“When I was at Alabama, it just felt different,” Sutter said. “The way Coach DeBoer and Coach Roach broke down my tape, how they talked about my growth potential, and the brotherhood — it clicked. I didn’t feel like a recruit. I felt like part of a mission.”

With legendary head coach Nick Saban now retired, Alabama’s new regime under Kalen DeBoer has continued to recruit at an elite level. Landing Sutter is a huge win for the Tide — both on the field and on the recruiting trail.

Alabama edge rush coach Freddie Roach played a major role in Sutter’s commitment, forming a relationship that went far beyond football. “He wasn’t just talking about sacks and tackles,” Sutter recalled. “He was talking about being a man, about leadership, about who I want to be at 30, not just at 20.”

Sources close to the program say Sutter is expected to compete for early playing time, with Alabama shifting toward a more aggressive, multiple-front defense that values versatility and explosiveness off the edge.

“Alabama doesn’t promise playing time — they promise development,” said Sutter’s father, James. “That’s why we’re all in.”

In today’s college football environment, NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) has become a major factor in most high-profile commitments. While Sutter acknowledged that he had “significant NIL offers” from other programs, he made it clear that money wasn’t the driving force behind his decision.

“I didn’t pick the biggest check,” he said. “I picked the biggest opportunity to become my best.”

That mature outlook has won over coaches, fans, and alumni alike. One Alabama staffer said Sutter reminded them of a young Will Anderson — both in mindset and motor.

“He’s a throwback. He’s got that blue-collar grind but a five-star frame,” the staffer said. “He’s going to be special.”

Thursday’s commitment ceremony was part pep rally, part family reunion. Nearly 300 people filled Weaver’s Fresh Food & Drink, a popular Peoria gathering spot, as TV crews, radio hosts, and fans spilled onto the sidewalk. A large video screen played a highlight reel of Sutter’s high school dominance, set to music from his favorite artist, J. Cole.

When the announcement was made, Sutter hugged his parents, who both wore “Team Mack” shirts in Crimson Tide colors. He thanked his coaches, teachers, and teammates — even his childhood barber — in an emotional speech that left few dry eyes in the room.

“This isn’t just my commitment,” he said. “It’s Dunlap’s. It’s Peoria’s. It’s all of ours.”

Sutter plans to graduate early in December 2025 and enroll at Alabama in January 2026. He’ll join one of the top-rated classes in the country, with the Tide already securing commitments from several other blue-chip prospects on both sides of the ball.

Between now and then, he’ll focus on finishing his senior season strong, mentoring younger teammates, and “soaking up every minute” of life at Dunlap.

“I’m not in a rush,” he said. “I love my team. I love my town. But I’m hungry — and Bama is calling.”

After over a year of campus visits, media appearances, Zoom calls, and speculation, Sutter is finally at peace with his choice. More than that, he’s inspired.

“I chose Bama because I want to be forged by fire,” he said. “I want to be coached hard. I want to win rings. I want to be great. And I believe Alabama is where I’m going to do that.”

As the crowd at Weaver’s stood and applauded one last time, it became clear: Mack Sutter’s journey is just beginning, but already, he’s made his mark — not just as a football player, but as a young man wise beyond his years.

And come fall 2026, when he first runs out of the tunnel at Bryant-Denny Stadium, an entire town in Central Illinois will be watching — not just proud, but forever part of the process.