Six-Ten Center Collins Onyejiaka Reclassifies to 2025, Becomes Alabama Basketball’s Eighth Offseason Addition in Transfer-Fueled Reload

Alabama basketball continues to shape its roster for the future with a clear message to the rest of college basketball: The Crimson Tide are not slowing down anytime soon. With the latest addition of 6-foot-10 center Collins Onyejiaka, Alabama head coach Nate Oats lands a pivotal frontcourt piece who has officially reclassified to the 2025 class and will suit up in Tuscaloosa this fall, as first reported by 247Sports insider Travis Branham.

This move makes Onyejiaka the eighth new face for Alabama this offseason—a haul that already includes impact transfers, top-tier freshmen, and now a reclassified rising talent whose length, athleticism, and motor bring even more versatility to a roster aiming to return to the Final Four and compete for a national title. For Oats and his staff, this isn’t just about numbers—it’s about building a roster with interchangeable parts and next-level potential.

Onyejiaka, a former Class of 2026 recruit out of Raleigh, North Carolina, had long been regarded as one of the most promising young big men in the high school ranks. His combination of rim protection, mobility in the open floor, and offensive upside made him a sought-after target for programs looking to build for the future. Now, by accelerating his timeline and enrolling in Alabama for the 2025-26 season, he becomes a key piece for the Tide’s immediate frontcourt rotation, potentially slotting into minutes vacated by departing stars.

The decision to reclassify doesn’t come lightly for most high school athletes, particularly those at a position like center, where physical maturity often plays a key role in early college success. But according to multiple reports, Onyejiaka’s work ethic and physical development have caught the attention of scouts and coaches alike. His body is already college-ready, and his game continues to expand beyond the paint. He projects as a stretch-five in Oats’ up-tempo, floor-spacing offensive scheme, while still being able to bang down low and contest shots at the rim.

For Alabama, the timing couldn’t be better. After a historic 2024-25 campaign that saw the Tide reach the Final Four for the first time in program history, Oats has been tasked with rebuilding a roster that saw key contributors head to the NBA and the transfer portal. That included All-American Mark Sears declaring for the draft and standout big man Grant Nelson exhausting his eligibility. With so many holes to fill, the coaching staff dove headfirst into the recruiting and portal wars, building a class that includes proven veterans and high-upside prospects alike.

Onyejiaka’s arrival fits seamlessly into this broader strategy. He joins a group that already features names like Houston Mallette, the Pepperdine transfer who provides perimeter shooting and experience; Clifford Omoruyi, the elite shot-blocker and rebounder out of Rutgers; and Chris Youngblood, a strong-bodied wing from South Florida known for his physicality and leadership. Throw in freshmen additions such as top-30 forward Derrion Reid and wing Naas Cunningham, and the Tide’s roster suddenly looks deeper and more versatile than ever.

But Onyejiaka might be the wild card of the group. At just 17 years old, he brings the upside of a prospect two years away from his original projected college debut. While he may not be expected to start right away, his length, skill set, and competitive fire make him a candidate to break into the rotation sooner than later. With Oats’ style favoring bigs who can run, space the floor, and switch defensively, Onyejiaka checks all the boxes.

His development will be closely watched not just in Tuscaloosa but across the SEC. Alabama’s fast-paced attack and emphasis on positionless basketball offer the ideal environment for a big man like Onyejiaka to blossom. The Tide’s track record with player development, particularly in turning athletic forwards and centers into NBA-caliber talent, bodes well for his future.

Recruiting analysts have praised the move by both player and program. Branham, who broke the news, noted that “Onyejiaka’s decision to reclassify speaks volumes about his readiness and the belief Alabama’s staff has in his potential. He’s still raw, but the tools are there for him to be special in the SEC.” And it’s that word—potential—that will continue to define Onyejiaka’s trajectory in the coming months.

While his role this season may be limited by the depth Alabama has already accumulated, particularly in the frontcourt with Omoruyi and others, he stands to benefit from a year of high-level practice, strength training, and immersion in the Crimson Tide culture. Redshirting remains a possibility, but if his progression over the past year is any indication, don’t count him out as a contributor during the 2025-26 campaign.

The bigger picture for Alabama is also worth noting. With Onyejiaka now in the fold, Oats has successfully blended experience and youth in a way few programs have done this offseason. The mix of seasoned transfers and rising stars positions the Crimson Tide not just for another deep March run, but for sustained success over the next several seasons. That kind of balance is rare in today’s transfer-heavy, one-and-done college basketball landscape.

In the ever-shifting world of roster building, this eighth addition underscores Alabama’s status as a national power. Not only does the program attract elite talent, but it also develops, reloads, and adapts better than most of its peers. Adding a 6-10 rim protector with modern skills and years of eligibility is exactly the kind of long-term investment that elite programs make.

For Onyejiaka, it’s an opportunity to grow within a system that emphasizes pace, spacing, and freedom of expression on the court. It’s also a chance to begin his college career ahead of schedule, surrounded by mentors and a staff that believes in his trajectory. And for Alabama, it’s another piece in a growing puzzle that seems to be inching closer to that elusive national championship.

As fall approaches, all eyes will be on how quickly the talented big man can adapt to the speed and physicality of the SEC. But with his mindset, tools, and the support of one of college basketball’s best coaching staffs, Collins Onyejiaka is more than just a late-summer headline—he might just be the next great Crimson Tide big.