Alabama’s Next Big Five: Recruits That Could Secure a No. 1 Class

The early expectations for Kalen DeBoer and staff from a recruiting standpoint varied widely. Some said the Tide would be lucky to sign a top-10 class, others debated top-5 group while some — with a major egg on their face — said the new Alabama staff wouldn’t be able to recruit at all. The “Husky Harsin” moniker was funny in January, but probably not so much now.

Bama has put together the nation’s No. 4 class ( an ever-changing list ) with an incredible June run of nine commitments while hosting some of the nation’s best prospects, many of whom still have decisions to make. Several of those targets are likely to commit in June. Not all have set official commitment dates, but are expecting to do so during the summer.

Here are five important targets who we feel are close to committing, with the Tide under heavy consideration. If Alabama has a chance at landing the nation’s top class, these elite prospects are a great place to start the run.

5-star could give Alabama its best OL class in recent memory

Alabama made a huge move with elite OT Ty Haywood on his official visit to Tuscaloosa. It was his first-ever visit. His mother is from Mississippi, and she quickly struck up a great relationship with the Tide staff.

Oklahoma had been the perceived leader heading into his official visits, but the Denton, Texas, Ryan High School recruit ended up not making the trip to Norman. He instead visited FSU, and those three occupy his top schools group.

While no decision date has been set, there is talk that UA is looking to get this over with in the near future. That’s always subject to change. Coach Chris Kapilovic would love to add the final piece so the “Bama wall” with Jackson Lloyd , Micah DeBose , Michael Carroll , and Mal Waldrep already on board.

On3 Ranking: No. 8 overall in the country

Commitment Date: No set date

BOL Latest Intel: Alabama leads FSU and Oklahoma, but still work to do.

Elite 5-star WR expected to make decision soon

If there is one position that Alabama has been very picky, it has been wide receiver. But Caleb Cunningham has been near the top of their board since JaMarcus Shepherd arrived in Tuscaloosa. The previous staff also recruited the MIssissippi native and he recently put out a top six. Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss, Florida, Mississippi State and Tennessee are the finalists. However, he took his official visit to Alabama on the last weekend prior to the dead period, and all the buzz since then has been around the Tide.

ICYMI: 5-star WR names Bama his leader, talks new decision timeline

Lotzeir Brooks has committed and is perhaps the most underrated player in the country by some services. Coach “Shep” and Nick Sheridan are looking to add at least one more playmaker at the receiver position, but that class could expand to three. Alabama is in good shape at this stage.

On3 Ranking: No. 15 overall in the country

Commitment Date: No set date. Expected to be in July.

BOL Latest Intel: Bama leads five other schools. None will give up easily.

California 5-star DB is on the clock

The secondary in Tuscaloosa is looking to add some more California love with Dijon Lee making his decision Friday. Mo Linguist ‘s squad has a good vibrations group with Domani Jackson and Zabien Brow n already on campus, while Mater Dei DB Chuck McDonald has already verbally committed.

ICYMI: Alabama is “like home now” for 5-star DB and his family

Courtney Morgan has built a strong connection here before he joined Kalen DeBoer at The Capstone , and that certainly gave the Tide more than a fighting chance. Washington, Texas and Texas A&M are among the finalists, but this has been viewed as a Tide-Dawg battle all the way, with Georgia also going all out to land the rangy corner. All the predictions and RPMs have Bama in the big lead heading into his decision.

On3 Ranking: No. 48 overall in the country

Commitment Date: Friday, June 28 at 1:30 PM Central

BOL Latest Intel: Alabama heads into his decision with momentum, but UGA is giving it all they’ve got.

Nation’s No. 2 RB running to Tuscaloosa?

Akylin Dear has been a top target for Robert Gillespie for quite some time. Dear has had a big reputation as one of the elite backs in the country during his high school career. He has been a frequent visitor to Tuscaloosa during that time, but most recently took an official visit on June 14. Despite being committed to Ole Miss, the buzz around Alabama has continued to grow steadily.

ICYMI: SEC commit felt prioritized by Bama’s coaches, players on official visit

That buzz took an ever stronger turn after the dead period started when several predictions and RPM picks came in for the Tide. Kalen DeBoer has one commit from the old regime in Anthony Rogers , but the Alabama staff always wanted to add at least one more running back, and Dear would be at the top of that list. The Tide is heading in the right direction in this recruitment.

On3 Ranking: No. 30 overall in the country

Commitment Date: No set date

BOL Latest Intel: Bama has all the buzz. Still committed to Ole Miss. But we are watching this closely.

Another long-time, Cali target won’t be far behind

Another West Coast star that has had a long-time relationship with the Tide staff, Josiah Sharma , is also making his college decision Friday, 30 minutes after Dijon Lee announces his choice. Sharma was committed to the Washington staff when he was a very low rated 3-star with virtually no offers. So, this relationship goes back a long way.

ICYMI: Mother of On300 DL talks Alabama official visit, upcoming decision

Sharma has seen his share of national powers go full throttle trying to land him after Alabama extended an offer in January. Texas seems to be the primary competition, but Oregon is also among his top three. The coveted defensive lineman has always been quiet and the news leading up to his commitment is low-key with around 30 hours left before the decision. The Ducks are probably the least talked about but the Tide and the Longhorns have both exhibited some form of confidence. We have been told no staff knows to this point.

On3 Ranking: No. 83 overall in the country

Commitment Date : Friday, June 28 at 2:00 PM Central

BOL Latest Intel: Bama/Texas battle, but can’t rule out Oregon. This could be a Friday surprise to all involved. Still some more digging to do.

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