Alabama has the sixth-best recruiting class within the nation, a decent place that almost each program within the nation would scratch and claw for.
It might even be Alabama’s lowest end because the 2018 recruiting class because the Crimson Tide are frequently successful the recruiting championship or fairly darn shut.
The Crimson Tide have top-of-the-line recruiting courses within the nation led by five-star quarterback Keelon Russell, who might be nearly as good as any quarterback that has come by means of Tuscaloosa. The Duncanville, Texas, standout has thrown 40 touchdowns and no interceptions this season and will wind up because the top-ranked participant in the complete recruiting class.
However Alabama additionally has suffered an uncanny quantity of decommitments this recruiting cycle.
Whether or not that’s the post-Nick Saban actuality, or the truth of in the present day’s recruiting panorama or only a one-off that can be rectified as coach Kalen DeBoer and his employees have extra time to develop relationships all through the South, it’s actually shocking.
A string of latest decommitments from excessive four-star receiver Caleb Cunningham, who flipped to Ole Miss, and four-star linebacker Dawson Merritt, who flipped to Nebraska, are the newest strikes.
To date this recruiting cycle, Alabama has sustained 13 decommitments from a few of the prime prospects within the nation.
To check, the Crimson Tide solely had three in 2024 and one was five-star Ryan Williams, who rejoined the category. There have been solely two in 2023. In not less than greater than a decade since decommitment data had been stored, that is essentially the most for Alabama.
What might have been if all of them stayed with the Crimson Tide? In all probability one other No. 1 recruiting class, which has grow to be virtually the expectation in Tuscaloosa.
Cunningham and Merritt are simply the newest two, becoming a member of five-stars Jaime Ffrench and Javion Hilson together with Zion Grady, Derrick Smith, Antonio Coleman (twice), Jaedon Harmon, Mason Quick, Myles Johnson, Zymear Smith, Dontrell Glover and punter Luke Ryerse.
With lower than three weeks to go till signing day, Alabama might actually add to its already-impressive recruiting haul.
This weekend, Michigan State working again commit Jace Clarizio visits and so does Florida four-star receiver pledge Naeshaun Montgomery, who might be the alternative after Cunningham’s departure.
The recruiting customer record for the Iron Bowl to shut out the common season might be loaded.
However the Crimson Tide have work to maintain this recruiting class collectively as nicely.
Excessive four-star offensive lineman Michael Carroll visits Colorado this weekend. It’s unlikely excessive four-star cornerback Dijon Lee flips however he’s visiting Texas A&M when it hosts Texas. 4-star working again Anthony Rogers has visited Georgia and Ohio State and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him flip.
There are some under-the-radar potential stars on this class to look at together with four-star offensive lineman Jackson Lloyd, who the Alabama teaching employees thinks is without doubt one of the greatest o-linemen within the class, and JUCO defensive finish Kevonte Henry amongst others.
Like each program within the nation, the ultimate weeks earlier than signing day are essential.
Alabama has put collectively one other phenomenal recruiting class however the Crimson Tide might have been ranked even greater – possibly No. 1 – if that’s the case many prime prospects didn’t again off their pledges, one thing these in Tuscaloosa aren’t precisely used to experiencing.
