In-state OL talks commitment status, new-look Alabama

Alabama’s offensive line recruiting has been one of the top storylines of the 2025 cycle thus far.

By any objective measures, this is the best collection of talent in the country. There are a pair of 5-stars in Michael Carroll and Ty Haywood , a top-30 prospect in Jackson Lloyd (would be a 5-star if rankings were finalized today), and a couple of highly sought-after in-state recruits in Mal Waldrep and Micah DeBose .

DeBose was one that the staff made up a lot of ground for in a short amount of time. Unofficials in back-to-back-to-back months, as well as his June 21-23 official visit, put the Tide over the top.

“It ultimately came down to some factors that other schools can’t really control, like me being so close to Alabama,” DeBose told BamaOnLine . “Coach Kap has a great plan for me. I just felt at home. The program, itself. The guys that are in the building and the locker room.”

Unlike most of his future teammates along the o-line, DeBose did not announce his decision following the official visit he took to Alabama. Instead, he committed on Saturday, June 22, before his visit wrapped up.

DeBose announced his commitment while speaking on stage in front of fellow visitors and their family members, and was introduced by true freshman Ryan Williams.

“It kind of felt like I was a big thing, a big deal for those guys,” DeBose said. “They said it was the first time they’ve ever done something like that, so it was a blessing. It felt good to have the support of a fellow Mobilian. He was happy to have me there.”

Since committing to the Tide, DeBose has only spoken with members of the Bama staff, primarily Chris Kapilovic .

He does not plan on taking visits elsewhere from here on out.

“Basically shut down,” DeBose said of his recruitment. “After me committing after my OVs, I just planned to shut it down.”

DeBose will be back at Alabama for the cook-out event on July 28. He also plans on attending a few games throughout the season.

Alabama’s coaches prioritized DeBose from the very beginning

So, how was Alabama’s new staff able to come in and make an impact with DeBose?

Well, it started the first week that Kalen DeBoer and Company hit the road in January. Vigor High School — DeBose’s former school — was one of the first stops for DeBoer, who was accompanied by Kane Wommack . DeBose would go on to tell BOL a month after that stop that Bama was in his top five .

“This staff came in and showed me the love they had for me. That’s really when my interest piqued for them,” DeBose said. “Just kind of showed me more attention. It’s not much different [at Alabama]. In my own opinion, it’s more modern but there are still the same goals and still the same standard.”

There was another change in the staff a few weeks after DeBoer’s stop as offensive line coach Scott Huff left for the same job with the Seattle Seahawks.

Kapilovic quickly stepped up to the plate and, along with Courtney Morgan , made sure that DeBose knew he was a priority.

“I’ve built a very good relationship with Coach Kap,” DeBose said. “That’s another big part of the reason I committed. He’s a great guy. He’s a great coach and teacher. Teaches you technique-wise.”

DeBoer has been very active in the recruitments of Bama commits and targets. From conducting Zoom calls, to extensive meetings during official and unofficial visits, to everything in between, recruits and parents alike have raved about the Tide’s new head coach.

DeBose, the top-ranked offensive lineman in the state of Alabama, is impressed with what he’s done so far.

“He’s done great,” DeBose said. “People were saying that he can’t recruit and stuff like that. Coach DeBoer is putting together a great class. I expect them to do really good this year. I’m actually very excited to see how they play this year.

Micah DeBose raves about his future OL teammates and Keelon Russell

On the topic of putting together a great class, we asked DeBose for his thoughts on this o-line group that he’s a part of. On paper, it could end up being one of the best Alabama classes at the position group in the past couple of decades.

“I’m ready to work with those guys and compete. It’s going to be good. I feel real good about it,” DeBose said. “It’s not always about football when we talk. Kind of just talking, chilling, and hanging out. I feel a great vibe with them.”

And what does DeBose think of who he’ll be blocking for at the next level?

“That guy is just a stud,” DeBose replied. “He’s really good. It makes you feel real good about the future.”

DeBose added that the culture at Bama amongst the current players also caught his attention. He referred to the group as a family and stated that there’s a brotherhood in Tuscaloosa, which factored into his decision.

The four-star recruit connected with fellow Alabama offensive lineman product Roq Montgomery during his visits.

“He was just telling me how life was at Bama,” DeBose said of his conversations with Montgomery. “Every day with the nitty gritty and the grind. He said that Coach Kap is a great teacher. A technique type of guy. It’s just great to be coached by him.”

DeBose talks new school, enrollment plans

Formerly at Vigor High School, DeBose is now a member of the Theodore Bobcats football program.

Transferring to Theodore was cited as an educational decision as DeBose plans on enrolling early with the Crimson Tide.

“It’s been going good,” DeBose said of his new school. “Getting a new experience under a new head coach that I haven’t known all my life. I feel like it’s going good, though.”

Like Lloyd, DeBose is a multi-sport athlete who played basketball, soccer, and tennis this offseason.

His focus over the past few months has been on getting himself prepared — physically — for his senior season and beyond.

“I just feel like I’m getting my body right,” DeBose said. “Getting my body right is my biggest expectation and biggest goal right now. Just building a lot of muscle. I have been building a lot of muscle. Working on building a lot of muscle every day.”

Before enrolling early at Alabama, DeBose will partake in the Under Armour All-America Game in January.

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