COLUMN: Five thoughts after Alabama moves to the top of the On3 Team Recruiting Rankings
Alabama has done the unthinkable- at least what many certainly did not expect in the short time in Tuscaloosa for the new regime. The Crimson Tide was not supposed to have the great recruiting success after Nick Saban retired according to outsiders. UA had too much success during the Saban years. It was viewed as the time for another school to rise up against the former recruiting juggernaut, and send the Tide back to the dark ages.
Newsflash- Alabama is still Alabama. It hasn’t skipped a beat since the retirement of the greatest college football head coach of all-time. Nick Saban, despite what many rival fans say on social media or message boards, is not working behind the scenes to ensure the Tide’s continued success on the recruiting trail.
Coach Saban will always have a place and a role at Alabama. He’s a voice for the new coaching staff when they need it. He didn’t leave the program in shambles. Alabama was in the College Football Playoff on January 1. This wasn’t a program with three-four straight losing seasons, and hiring a coaching who pull the Tide out of the dumps of college football hell.
The infrastructure remains in place at Alabama. Many of the faces have changed, but there is still a common goal. Coach DeBoer said it best a few days after he arrived. Alabama fans believed it, but how would this new staff handle the incredibly high recruiting expectations right out of the gate.
“What a special place! The standard is Alabama.”- Coach DeBoer told the home basketball crowd on January 16.
Recruits returning to UA: 7/28 Cook-Out Guest List
From unknown expectations, to above and beyond
Five-star DB Dijon Lee is trending toward Alabama following his official visit with the Tide.
-Not many who expected Kalen DeBoer to have a Top 5 recruiting class at this point (six months ago). The early additions in the ’25 class from the previous staff had unraveled, and the new regime was playing from behind. Those outside the program were celebrating the end of the Nick Saban reign as he had a tight grip on consistently securing top 2 recruiting classes every year. A new head coach without many ties to the Southeast was not expected to thrive right away.
Rewind to mid-January. What was the focus? Stop the bleeding in the transfer portal (plus fill the holes)- which it did. Get Ryan Williams back after his de-commitment- which it did. Hire a complete staff-assistants, support- who knew what they were doing from a coaching and recruiting standpoint- which it did. Get to work-which it did.
Still, questions swirled. How would UA increase traction in the ’25 class? Would Alabama land a decent quarterback? How will Alabama sign a great OL class after the loss of Scott Huff? Will the Tide sign any five-stars, etc…The early attention was on the West Coast.
“Anyone else that came into that position, they’d try to live up to the Coach Saban hype or try to act like Coach Saban,” Ryan Williams said earlier this year. “He’s himself. He’s very comfortable in himself. He made me very comfortable and I believe in his offense.”
Five-star cornerback Dijon Lee called Coach DeBoer “probably the most down-to-earth coach that I know.” Lee included Alabama in his top three before ever stepping foot on campus because of the relationship with Coach DeBoer and Courtney Morgan (Alabama Football General Manager who stepped off the plane when Coach DeBoer arrived in Tuscaloosa). He has orchestrated the army of support staff for the Crimson Tide.
Alabama fans are accustomed to the No. 1 ranking. It’s best not to get too comfortable. The rankings will fluctuate all the way until the Early Signing Period- Alabama, however, should remain comfortably in position to contend as a Top 3 overall class in year one.
Expected right?
Patience pays off
Keelon Russell Alabama Crimson Tide.
This was the area many figured would take a cycle for Alabama to secure a top flight player. The majority of top recruits at the position had committed, most quarterbacks tend to commit early. Alabama offered a few players in January/February, but with an OC change (Ryan Grubb to Nick Sheridan) it waited. Five-star QB Matt Zollers took a visit to UA prior to his announcement. Alabama decided not to offer.
It had a list of players who were under the microscope, and all were committed elsewhere. Alabama made a move on SMU commitment Keelon Russell, a Top 100 recruit, who started receiving a lot of attention. He began scheduling official visits outside of Dallas. It was the only spring evaluation offer, and Russell took his first visit to the Capstone on May 31 (official visit). UA was willing to wait for an answer from Russell before it made a move on anyone else.
Russell delivered the great news to Alabama he was flipping his commitment from the Mustangs. He has been a significant help on the recruiting trail whether it’s been talking with recent additions like Caleb Cunningham and Ty Haywood, to encouraging a visit from five-star WR Kaliq Lockett (who now has UA in his top two). Oh, and he also won the MVP of the Elite 11.
Must-Read: Experts weigh in on Keelon Russell’s Elite 11 performance
Alabama didn’t rush into commitments or extend several at each position with hopes of jumpstarting a recruiting class. It evaluated options at each position especially the most important one (QB). There are similarities and differences with the new staff- which still has some of the best from the old, including who work in the support staff who know what it has worked for many years. You mix if together and it’s formed an elite unit working all angles.
The wall that Kap N’ Morgan built
Mike Carroll visits with Alabama OL coach Chris Kapilovic
Russell loves having his offensive weapons including the latest addition to the Tide’s recruiting class- five-star wide receiver Caleb Cunningham (Interview on his decision). He likely pay for a lot of meals for his future bodyguards. Alabama has the best offensive line class in America.
Chris Kapilovic has been nothing short of sensational in his first five months in Tuscaloosa. It’s also helped having GM Courtney Morgan playing an instrumental role in piecing together a remarkable unit. The early relationships played a major factor as Coach Kap offered five-star OL Mike Carroll last summer (at Michigan State) and also pursued five-star Ty Haywood (shortly after arriving at Baylor).
Morgan had a strong connection with Jackson Lloyd, No. 6 OL per On3, from when he extended an offer to the Carmel (Cali.) lineman while working at the University of Washington. It was still a lot of work ahead, and not as easy as expected. Lloyd quickly became a priority target for Ohio State during the spring.
Haywood was considered a heavy lean to Oklahoma prior to the start of official visits. Many on the LSU and Ohio State side felt it had a strong chance with Micah DeBose. Clemson had the full court press on Mal Waldrep. Mike Carroll was considered a priority for UGA, Michigan and Penn State (legacy).
Alabama is not expected to add another offensive lineman at this point. The original plan was three or four. Summer official visits changed things, and moved the needle to five as Alabama suddenly became the front-runner for Haywood and Carroll after trips to Tuscaloosa.
NameHeight/weightRanking:Decision DateRecruited PositonHighlights Ty Haywood6-5, 297Five-star, No. 2 OL7/14/24TackleWATCH HEREMike Carroll6-6.5, 310Five-star, No. 1 IOL6/10/24OL (inside or out)WATCH HEREJackson Lloyd6-7, 290Top 100 (No. 26), No. 6 OL6/18/24TackleWATCH HEREMicah DeBose6-4, 330Four-star, No. 10 IOL6/22/24OLWATCH HEREMal Waldrep6-5.5, 325Three-star, No. 34 OL6/11/24OL (may also work at center)WATCH HERE
Alabama isn’t finished
Akylin Dear Alabama Crimson Tide
The class is suddenly in a much stronger position than most expected. Alabama has 23 commitments as of 7/15/24. It has 10 recruits ranked in the Top 100. Five who rank as five-stars. Sound familiar? Alabama also isn’t a finished. Also, familiar sounding for the Crimson Tide.
(There is a not a 25-man signing class limit. Schools must however remain at 85-or-under total scholarships.)
There are still certain areas where Alabama remains in pursuit of key targets. AK Dear, No. 2 RB from Quitman High School in Mississippi, appears close to a decision. Dear, who decommitted from Ole Miss last month, is predicted by BOL to Alabama. Eyes are on Dear as the potential ‘next’ commitment for the Crimson Tide even though a decision date has not been revealed.
Alabama has met its need at receiver, but remains heavily involved with five-star WR Kaliq Lockett and four-star Derek Meadows. Lockett is an Alabama/Texas battle. Meadows will announce on Saturday-seems more of LSU/Notre Dame battle.
Four-star TE Nick Townsend (Spring, Texas-Dekaney) will announce his decision today. The expectation is Texas. Alabama recently received a commitment from No. 5 TE Kaleb Edwards (El Dorado Hills, Calif-Oak Ridge). The Crimson Tide hasn’t quite closed the door on UNC commitment Marshall Pritchett (Rabun Gap, Ga-Nacoochee School).
Some of the players who still have Alabama on its short list include five-star Justus Terry (Manchester, Ga.) and three-star Floyd Boucard (Miami-Central). Terry is a former UGA and USC commitment. Alabama hosted in June 21 for an official visit, and remains in contention with UGA (considered the biggest obstacle). Boucard will announce on Saturday. It is not trending to UA at this time.
BOL wil continue to monitor No. 1 LB Ty Jackson (Loxahatchee, Fla-Seminole Ridge) who took an official visit with the Tide June 21-23 (third overall visit to UA this year). Jackson is only visiting Florida this month. He will wait until December 4 to announce a decision. He will return to UA this fall.
Alabama will keep the door open in the defensive backfield, but currently pleased with its class which includes five-star CB Dijon Lee (Mission Viejo, Calif.), Top 100 ATH Derick Smith (Selma-Southside) and Top 100 CB Chuck McDonald (Santa Ana, Calif-Mater Dei).
Keep in mind- there are more players who are still out there discussing future plans to visit Alabama. Some are possibly committed elsewhere. Expect more players to emerge in the fall especially if Coach DeBoer continues one of the biggest aspects of a coach-winning.
Good news, most officials are complete
Photo by Chad Simmons/On3
The obvious concern for many- we are still a little less than five months away from the Early Signing Period. Recruits have been known to change their minds, and you have to continue pursuing/treating as if they are not committed until pen meets paper. Something most tend to forget- the majority of official visits are complete.
Players flip, but we see many of those happen after official visits elsewhere. A high majority of the recruits in the Tide’s current No. 1 class have taken their official visits, and do not plan to take any additional ones. They’ve gone through the recruiting process for the last year or more, traveled to many schools, evaluated each program and made their decisions.
Don’t Miss: Five-star WR Caleb Cunningham talks commitment to Alabama
The focus now shifts to their senior season. A lot of eyes are also on Alabama’s performance on the field this fall. What can Coach DeBoer and this staff do with a potential Top 5 team which certainly has high expectations. Alabama doesn’t want to lose any of its commitments, and wants to continue adding more talent.
Commitments will certainly receive game day invites. Some will certainly take advantage of attending a marquee game elsewhere. It also happens in Tuscaloosa. Some may consider other programs until they sign. All the players are also still pursued until signed.
You look at the job done by Coach DeBoer and the entire football department since January 10. Judgment for coaches happens in the fall. The spring and summer have , if nothing else, created an unbelievable buzz and excitement around this program that hasn’t been seen maybe since those first few No. 1 classes for the under Nick Saban.
It’s a battle for the No. 1 class until the finish line!
The early signing period begins on December 4.
Want to talk with the BOL staff and also thousands of other Alabama fans about all the latest recruiting intel? CLICK HERE to join daily conversations about the Crimson Tide and much more on the BOL RoundTable.
The post COLUMN: Five thoughts after Alabama moves to the top of the On3 Team Recruiting Rankings appeared first on On3.
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