Alabama top running back commit expresses excitement as Ole Miss tries to flip the local recruit from Crimson Tide

High school football is rolling alongside the college football season, and the Alabama Crimson Tide is doing great work on the recruiting trail. Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer has built an impressive collection of talent for future years, but the list of teams ready to flip his commits is as long as ever.

One such player feeling the love from other schools is 2025 No. 1 overall running back Akylin Dear. The Alabama commit is a 5-star composite from Quitman, Mississippi. And Lane Kiffin's Ole Miss Rebels are nowhere near done chasing after Dear despite his commitment in mid-August.

247Sports' Brett Greenberg caught up with Dear this week and asked about his commitment level to Alabama.

‘It’s really exciting," said Dear. "Playing at ‘Bama? Cmon man… Roll Tide!"

Greenberg also reported that Dear will return to Tuscaloosa for the Georgia vs. Alabama showdown on September 28. This is a massive opportunity for the Crimson Tide to show what they'll be under DeBoer. Right now, Alabama are 3.5-point underdogs at most sportsbooks.

Akylin Dear Scouting Report

A robust runner who stands out for his north-south style and solid built, tipping the scales at over 200 pounds, Dear showcases versatility to thrive in both zone and power running schemes at a higher level.

This impressive athlete from Quitman High School demonstrates remarkable patience and vision right at the line, coupled with the ability to suddenly accelerate from the first level to the second, creating space within the tackle box.

He is an adept mover, capable of evading defenders with his sharp, single-cut agility or by leveraging his balance upon contact. Dear's knack for uncovering hidden yards and accumulating after-contact yards stems from his powerful lower body.

Though he's recognized for his toughness and ingenious running skills, this athlete from Mississippi also flashes the quickness to separate and the speed for long-range plays, positioning him as a potential big-play threat in the future.

With a body ready for the collegiate level, impressive stats, and confirmed measurements, Dear is pegged as a prospect who can make an immediate impact at the Power-Four level and has the potential to evolve into a Day-2 selection in the NFL Draft.