Top-60 junior talks Bama commitment status, who he’s recruiting for the Tide

After some additions and subtractions in recent weeks, Alabama currently has more commitments in their 2027 class (2) than they do in their 2026 class (1).

The lone pledge for the Tide in the 2026 group is Dorian Barney out of Carrollton High School in Georgia. Barney, a top-60 overall prospect on On3, committed to Bama back on May 19 after a pair of spring visits to Tuscaloosa.

He would go on to return for a mid-June visit, and updated his commitment status with BamaOnLine this week.

“With Bama, I’m locked in with them,” Barney told BOL. “Our relationship is good over there. I’ve been talking with them. Our relationship has been good. We just build it day by day.”

Up until two weeks ago, Barney was joined in Bama’s 2026 class by Jamarrion Gordon , who is now a UCF commit. Being the only junior prospect committed to the Crimson Tide means something to the Peach State product.

“Just what they’ve done in the past,” Barney said of why he’s locked in. “And I’m the only commit in their 2026 class right now. That’s big for me. I like to have that title.”

Barney is also taking it upon himself to recruit his fellow peers in the 2026 class.

That group includes teammates Ryan Mosley and Zelus Hicks , with Barney delivering the following pitch to them.

“Just telling them that they have to see what it’s really about,” Barney said of his message. “It’s the same Bama as when Nick Saban was there.”

ICYMI: No. 2 safety in 2026 class is ‘really interested’ in Alabama

The next time that Barney will step foot on Alabama’s campus will be for the season opener on Aug. 31. Not surprisingly, he also intends on being at the highly anticipated Georgia game in late September.

Alabama’s Maurice Linguist has been vital in the recruitment of Barney

One of the Alabama staff members who has stood out on the recruiting trail thus far is Maurice Linguist . Along with Barney, Linguist has landed commitments from Top 100 overall players Chuck McDonald and Dion Lee .

Contact between the two sides continues to be going well with Barney already in the fold.

“He has a good heart for people. He cares about people on and off the field,” Barney said of Linguist. “It’s been built pretty good. I’m getting more and more comfortable with him. It’s just how he treats me. He treats me like I’m a nephew to him.”

Linguist had no prior relationships with the recruits listed above, but he did bring over an impressive resume with him to Tuscaloosa.

He’s been an assistant coach in the NFL (Dallas Cowboys), as well as the head coach of the Buffalo Bulls before being hired by Bama.

“That’s good because he already knows what it takes to get to the next level. That’s where I’m trying to get to,” Barney said of Linguist’s history. “It’s really how he communicates with his guys. He gets out there during drills and demonstrates it for them.”

Barney is also keeping in touch with defensive coordinator Kane Wommack and a couple of support staff members. Wommack says the No. 6 cornerback in the 2026 cycle will fit in very well in his “Swarm D” defense, and that he’s the missing puzzle piece for the Tide.

“It’s a lot of DBs out there,” Barney said of the 4-2-5 scheme. “Get to play with a lot of DBs. You’ve also got the d-line down there. They’re going to get to the quarterback fast. We’ve just got to cover for three or four seconds and we’re good.”

Barney’s complete focus is on the start of his junior season. He transferred from Peachtree Ridge HS to powerhouse Carrollton HS this summer, and is looking forward to showcasing his improved skill set in the fall.

Based on what he’s seen this year, he’s also anticipating a successful season from his future program.

“Getting that SEC Championship and getting that national championship,” Barney said of his expectations for the season. “It’s just how the development is continuing. The development is continuing in the weight room and on the field. Without Nick Saban there, Coach DeBoer is doing a great job with everything. He’s going to continue that legacy.”

Barney added that the likes of Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, and also others are staying in touch with him. He is considering visits to some, if not all, of these programs during the season.

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