In the shifting landscape of college football recruiting, relationships often make the difference. Talent alone does not always secure a commitment, especially when elite programs vie for the same athletes. For 2026 quarterback Jett Thomalla, what tipped the scales in favor of Alabama was not only the allure of the Tide but the persistent, genuine engagement of Nick Sheridan — Alabama’s quarterbacks coach. This story is one of how a coach dared to be “just different,” and in doing so, left a lasting impression on a recruit already committed elsewhere.
When Jett Thomalla first entered the recruitment cycle, he had evidently found comfort and confidence in a commitment to Iowa State. In April, Thomalla publicly pledged to the Cyclones, believing his trajectory would be best served in Ames. That decision did not go unnoticed by Alabama’s staff, and somewhere in Tuscaloosa, Sheridan made a choice: to not let the moment slip by. ESPN.com+2247Sports+2 What followed was not a blitz of blanket messages or empty offers, but an approach that married persistence, respect, and personal investment.
It began the moment Sheridan made contact with Thomalla. The coach followed him across platforms, asked for his number, and expressed a desire to see him in person. Those are gestures many coaches make — but Sheridan followed through. He traveled to Nebraska to watch Thomalla throw, sitting down with him afterward for dinner, conversation, and honest talk about the game and the future. It was during those early days that Thomalla began to sense that Sheridan’s interest was not transactional but personal. tuscaloosanews.com+3SI+3247Sports+3
The trip to Omaha represented a turning point. Sheridan wanted to confirm directly what film and scouts already suggested: that Thomalla had the arm, the instincts, and the work ethic to succeed at a high level. Rather than rely solely on tapes and recruiting databases, Sheridan needed to see the motion, the footwork, and ask questions face-to-face. After that throw day, Sheridan took film, packaged it, and presented it to Alabama’s head coach and offensive staff. Within days, an offer was extended over the phone. SI+2247Sports+2 That moment did more than alter letters of intent; it introduced trust.
From Jett’s perspective, Sheridan didn’t simply make promises — he made a case. He told Thomalla he saw a future for him at Alabama, that he would be pushed and supported, and that if the young quarterback stayed on course, he believed a starting role was possible. The tone was never overly reverent, nor false. It was confident, inclusive, professional. Thomalla said that traditional narratives often speak of “bigger stage” or “national exposure,” but Sheridan went further: he instilled confidence in Thomalla’s capacity to play at that level. SI+2tuscaloosanews.com+2
During the final stages of Thomalla’s recruitment, Sheridan walked with him. He invited him to Alabama for an unofficial visit, made room for prolonged conversations, and followed up repeatedly. Even as Thomalla remained tied to Iowa State, Sheridan did not step back or undermine that loyalty — instead he continued to engage, with respect for Thomalla’s relationships and prior commitments. 247Sports+2SI+2 That kind of steady, respectful pressure is rare. It speaks less of salesmanship and more of leadership and belief.
When Thomalla finally visited Tuscaloosa, he says, something clicked. He met with Sheridan, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, and head coach Kalen DeBoer. The conversations were candid, the support evident. The feeling — not forced, but earned — was that Alabama was not just a program he could join, but a place he could belong. That subtle shift, from being recruited to being welcomed, is something Sheridan understood intuitively. 247Sports+2tuscaloosanews.com+2 Thomalla flipped his commitment in mid‑June, publicly announcing his decision just as he checked into Elite 11 finals. 247Sports+2SI+2
To many outside observers, the flip may look transactional. Iowa State had a prior claim. But for Thomalla, the deeper calculus involved vision, relationships, and coaching conviction. Sheridan’s willingness to act differently — to invest time, to show up, to speak truth — separated him from a flood of voices clamoring for attention.
Sheridan’s path to this moment is not accidental. A former quarterback at Michigan, he has coached at multiple levels, gradually earning reputation as someone who builds relationships and develops players. Wikipedia His career has spanned from graduate assistant roles to offensive coordinator and QB coach stints at several programs. His path has taught him the value of earning trust one conversation at a time.
In Thomalla’s case, it wasn’t just about flushing out weaknesses or highlighting potential. Sheridan let Thomalla see that he’d already done that work. Sheridan’s initial pitch conceded that Alabama had watched Thomalla’s high school film, but what he needed was to see him throw in person. That step — to validate film with real motion — is what made the recruitment personal. It said, “You matter enough for me to come see you.” SI+2247Sports+2
Even after the offer, Sheridan’s work didn’t stop. When Thomalla declared he had “a decision to make,” coach and program continued to engage, set up visits, host conversations, and help him envision life in Tuscaloosa. In the monthly grind of recruiting cycles, it’s easy to treat recruits as prospects in files. Sheridan treated Thomalla as a person with dreams, doubts, and relationships. That is what made the difference.
“Just different,” Thomalla said, referring indirectly to Sheridan’s approach. That brief phrase captures a powerful truth: the best coaches don’t just recruit your talent — they enroll your promise, your aspirations, your mindset. They prove, by action, their belief
