Kedrick Bingley-Jones is getting one more shot-and it's coming in Tuscaloosa.
The veteran defensive lineman confirmed that the NCAA has granted his waiver to suit up for Alabama in 2026, marking his seventh year in college football. It's been a long, winding road for Bingley-Jones, one filled with promise, setbacks, and now, a fresh opportunity with one of the sport's premier programs.
Originally a member of North Carolina’s 2020 recruiting class, Bingley-Jones arrived in Chapel Hill with plenty of upside. But injuries quickly became an unfortunate theme.
He didn’t see the field in his freshman year due to injury, and the following seasons were a stop-and-start affair. After four years with the Tar Heels, he transferred to Mississippi State ahead of the 2024 season, looking for a new beginning.
That fresh start came with more adversity. He missed 10 games in 2023 and eight more in 2024, again due to injuries that kept him from building any real momentum.
But 2025 was different. Healthy for the first time in years, Bingley-Jones started all 13 games for the Bulldogs and racked up 25 total tackles.
It wasn’t just a return to the field-it was a reminder of the kind of player he can be when he's right physically.
Now, he takes that hard-earned experience to Alabama, where depth and maturity on the defensive front are always welcome. For the Crimson Tide, Bingley-Jones brings not only SEC experience but also the resilience of a player who’s battled through nearly every obstacle a college athlete can face. And for Bingley-Jones, this waiver approval is more than just eligibility-it’s a chance to finally put together the season he’s been chasing since 2020.
If he can stay healthy, Alabama might have just added a seasoned, battle-tested presence to its D-line rotation. And for Bingley-Jones, it’s one last shot to make his mark on the college game.