NSIDER: Will a Number of Elite Prospects Soon Join Alabama’s Recruiting Frenzy

Alabama football is no stranger to recruiting dominance. Under Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide set the gold standard for assembling top-tier talent. Now, in the post-Saban era, head coach Kalen DeBoer is carrying the torch—and, if early returns are any indication, he’s fanning the recruiting flames into a full-on frenzy.

With momentum building from a string of recent commitments, Alabama seems primed for a massive haul in the 2025 and 2026 recruiting cycles. Key positions are being addressed, top national talents are putting Alabama in their final lists, and the Crimson Tide is reasserting its presence in talent-rich territories across the country.

Let’s break down the surge, the names to watch, and why Alabama may be on the verge of locking in one of its strongest recruiting stretches in years.

The DeBoer Effect: Setting the Foundation

When Kalen DeBoer was hired to replace the legendary Nick Saban, questions swirled around his ability to recruit at the same elite level. Those doubts are now fading fast.

DeBoer and his staff, including key hires like defensive coordinator Kane Wommack and offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic, have wasted no time adapting to the SEC’s cutthroat recruiting climate. They’ve blended Saban’s systematic talent evaluation approach with their own dynamic energy, emphasizing relationships, early evaluations, and NIL transparency.

Just three months into 2024, Alabama already has several blue-chip commitments and is in strong contention for others.

Who’s Already On Board?

Let’s start with the players who have already given the Tide a public commitment. These early pledges serve as the backbone of Alabama’s future—and signal to other recruits that Tuscaloosa remains an elite destination.

Anthony “Turbo” Rogers – RB (2025)

The No. 1 running back in the 2025 class, Rogers pledged to Alabama over a slew of national powers, including Georgia, Oregon, and Florida. He’s explosive, shifty, and offers a skill set tailor-made for DeBoer’s balanced offense. Landing Rogers gave the 2025 class instant credibility and momentum.

Derick Smith – ATH (2025)

A four-star athlete from Selma, Alabama, Smith’s commitment made waves not just because of his versatility, but because it reaffirmed Alabama’s stranglehold on in-state recruiting. Smith has the tools to contribute on both sides of the ball, though many project him as a dynamic safety or slot receiver.

Dontrell Glover – OL (2025)

The 6-foot-3, 300-pound offensive lineman out of Langston Hughes High in Georgia picked Alabama in the face of heavy SEC competition. Glover plays with a nasty streak and provides crucial depth in the trenches—an area of emphasis for DeBoer, who wants to build physicality back into the front five.

Targets Trending Toward Alabama

A string of commitments is impressive, but what’s even more notable is how many elite prospects are seriously eyeing the Crimson Tide. Here’s a breakdown of players who could commit soon—and potentially take this class from great to generational.

George MacIntyre – QB (2025)

The 5-star quarterback from Brentwood Academy in Tennessee is one of the top passers in the nation. Alabama is locked in a battle with Tennessee, LSU, and Oregon for his services. MacIntyre has praised DeBoer’s quarterback development track, particularly what he did with Michael Penix Jr. at Washington.

KJ Lacey – QB (2025)

Already committed to Texas, Lacey remains in contact with Alabama. His bond with several Tide recruits—including Rogers—is strong. If Texas stumbles or Alabama makes a late push, don’t rule out a flip.

Jaime Ffrench Jr. – WR (2025)

The five-star wideout has been committed to Alabama but continues to draw attention from programs like Miami and Ohio State. Keeping Ffrench in the fold is essential; he’s one of the most polished route runners in the class and a likely Day 1 contributor.

DJ Pickett – DB (2025)

The No. 1 safety in the country and a top-five overall prospect, Pickett recently visited Tuscaloosa and came away impressed with the facilities and coaching staff. Though LSU and Florida are also heavily involved, Alabama has surged in the past month.

A Sneak Peek at the 2026 Cycle

DeBoer and his staff aren’t just focusing on 2025—they’re already sowing seeds for the future. Here are a few rising juniors who could shape Alabama’s recruiting narrative over the next 18 months.

RJ Sermons – CB (2026)

From Bellflower, California, Sermons recently included Alabama in his top five. He’s a physical corner who thrives in press coverage, a skill set Alabama desperately wants in the new defensive scheme. The California-to-Alabama pipeline—think Bryce Young—could help here.

Keisean Henderson – ATH (2026)

A five-star athlete from Texas who’s currently committed to Houston, Henderson’s recruitment is still open. Alabama offered him earlier this year and has made consistent contact. His speed and vision are elite, and he could project at running back, receiver, or corner.

Positional Priorities: Where Alabama Is Focusing

With a new coaching staff comes new schematic preferences—and that’s reflected in the Tide’s recruiting targets.

Quarterback Room Makeover

The post-Milroe future is uncertain, so Alabama is actively pursuing elite passers in both the 2025 and 2026 classes. MacIntyre is clearly the top priority, but don’t be shocked if the Tide adds another high-upside prospect later in the cycle.

Wide Receiver Reboot

DeBoer’s offense relies on precision routes, speed, and yards after catch. Keeping Ffrench is vital, but look for Alabama to add at least two more receivers. Targets include Caleb Cunningham (MS), Dakorien Moore (TX), and Ryan Williams (already a 2024 commit but could reclassify).

Defensive Secondary Overhaul

With Alabama likely moving to more aggressive coverages, physical corners and ball-hawking safeties are a must. That’s where players like DJ Pickett, RJ Sermons, and Zymear Smith (another 2025 target) come in. Alabama’s ability to reload in the secondary could determine its defensive ceiling.

Rebuilding the Alabama Brand

One of DeBoer’s toughest early tasks was reintroducing Alabama to a new wave of recruits. Many of today’s high school juniors and seniors were in middle school when Alabama last won a national title. While the brand is still strong, it’s not automatic like it once was.

That’s why recent visits and recruiting events have been so important. Alabama is doing everything it can to modernize its approach—from personalized recruiting graphics to improved NIL visibility. Players aren’t just seeing a program with rings; they’re seeing a place that develops, markets, and supports them.

A telling quote came from 2025 DB prospect Dawayne Galloway:

“Coach DeBoer showed me how I would fit in the defense, not just told me I would. That stood out.”

These kinds of tailored pitches are helping Alabama reconnect with elite players—and get back into battles it might’ve lost a year ago.

NIL and the Modern Recruiting Landscape

Alabama has taken steps to adapt to the evolving NIL world. The university and its collectives have become more transparent and aggressive, with a focus on retaining top talent while appealing to new recruits.

One example? Incoming freshman wideout Ryan Williams reportedly turned down multiple high-dollar offers to flip his commitment, citing Alabama’s structure and future earning potential.

If Alabama can continue threading that needle—compensating players without turning into a bidding war free-for-all—it will stay competitive against newer NIL giants like Miami, Oregon, and Texas A&M.

The Final Push: Who’s Next?

With spring visits ramping up and summer commitments approaching, several players could pull the trigger soon. Here are five names Tide fans should keep an eye on:

1. George MacIntyre (QB) – Alabama is trending up.
2. DJ Pickett (S) – Tide making a late push.
3. Caleb Cunningham (WR) – Huge upside and SEC-ready frame.
4. Zymear Smith (CB) – Alabama has led for months.
5. Keisean Henderson (ATH) – Could flip from Houston with right pitch.

The Tide Is Rolling—Again

After a brief period of uncertainty post-Saban, Alabama football appears to be settling back into its familiar role as a recruiting juggernaut. The class of 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most well-rounded in recent memory, and the 2026 cycle already features several elite prospects who are warming to the Tide.

Kalen DeBoer is proving he can recruit with the best of them—not just in securing commitments, but in winning over players and families during the process. His staff is cohesive, his message is resonating, and the results are beginning to speak for themselves.

If a few more top-tier names fall Alabama’s way this summer, we may look back on this stretch as the start of another dominant recruiting era in Tuscaloosa.

Stay tuned—because the frenzy is far from over.