Five 2026 targets Alabama fans should know

Kalen DeBoer ‘s first recruiting class at Alabama has been a smashing success so far, with the Tide commitment list sitting at 23 prospects and ranked No. 1 in the nation. Bama’s staff is down to a handful of targets left for the current class, while preparing to evaluate some potential targets who have caught their eye during their senior season. Outside of that, the top priority will be to keep recruiting their commitments and get them to the finish line.

While there’s work left to do until the first day of the Early Signing Period on Dec. 4, the attention to the 2026 class is also increasing.

UA has sent out plenty of offers and are expected to host junior prospects through the season. They’ll get several notable names on campus on July 28 for the Alabama barbeque. The current class sits at two commitments and is top 10 in the nation. But that is a very small sample size, and things are expected to ramp up soon.

The commitments include Top 100 defensive back Dorian Barney . The Tide beat out Georgia, Ohio State, Clemson and a host of others for the Georgia native. 4-star in-state defensive back Jamarrion Gordon is also committed.

The top targets for the 2026 class are likely to change a lot, but here are five of the best in the nation to keep an eye on heading into their junior season.

Tide aiming high for quarterbacks

Kalen DeBoer arrived in Tuscaloosa with almost every QB in the 2025 class committed and as a result, they had to work especially hard not only to land a QB but to evaluate them and make sure they got the right one. Which they did with Elite 11 MVP Keelon Russell . This year, the dominoes around the signal callers are falling fast once again as 7 of the top 10 players at the position are committed in the 2026 cycle.

Currently, Bama is in the mix for two of the best in Faizon Brandon and Ryder Lyons , who check in at No. 2 and No. 3 in the quarterback rankings. Brandon is the most interesting and pressing with a commitment date already set for August 3. He’s visited the new staff twice in the last three months and Alabama is under heavy consideration. The Tide will be battling Tennessee in this one.

Lyons is more wide-open, but he has a relationship with Nick Sheridan going back to the Washington staff and he likes the Bama open passing style. He has yet to narrow down his list, but UA is expected to make the cut when he does. He will be in Tuscaloosa this weekend with a host of others (Lyons previews his upcoming visit to Bama – HERE ).

Brandon’s 2023 highlights – HERE

Lyons’ 2023 highlights – HERE

In-state wideout’s stock is sky high

Cederian Morgan is one of the South’s hottest prospects when it comes to offers. The Alexander City wide receiver has been offered by double-digit colleges since the spring evaluation period. A list that includes Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, FSU, Ohio State, Oregon, and Tennessee. Morgan, 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, grew up an Alabama fan and the Tide will be in the mix.

JaMarcus Shephard has shown a lot of interest in Morgan, who has yet to narrow down his list of favorites. Auburn is a team to watch but the recruiting process is really just beginning in earnest for Morgan, who is expected to take unofficial visits during the season and go from there. He will be one of the most watched players during his junior season with him being the focal point of the passing game for the first time (Morgan talks high interest in the Tide – HERE ).

2023 highlights – HERE

Elite interior offensive lineman has Bama’s attention

It’s obvious that behind Chris Kapilovic and Courtney Morgan , the offensive line is a priority for this Alabama staff and will be every year.

One of the nation’s best next year will be PJ Dean and the Tide are already showing some major attention. The Tar Heel State native is already ranked among the elite players in his class with a top 25 national ranking and, as expected, an offer list to match. That offer list is still growing, by the way. Projected on the interior offensive line with a possible destination of center when all is said and done, Dean has the Tide on his short list of colleges and is expected to be a frequent visitor to The Capstone .

He also had a brother at UGA, with both SEC schools catching his early interest. Ohio State, FSU and others have also drawn his interest. It’s still very early in his process but this is one to keep an eye on.

2023 highlights – HERE

Mobile “Wolf” target is a top-10 national target

There is likely an in-state battle brewing for Mobile native Anthony Jones . He’s expected to be in Auburn this weekend for their recruiting event on July 27 and the next day headed to Tuscaloosa for the Tide’s barbeque. “Tank,” as he is known, is already a 5-star prospect and he’s made plenty of trips to The Capstone and to The Plains despite only heading into his junior year.

The Tide and Tigers won’t be his only options with Jones having taken plenty of unofficial visits elsewhere, including LSU, Georgia and FSU. As expected, his offer list is extensive for a national top 10 prospect. He’s going to have his share of colleges to choose from. UA and AU are the most often mentioned, with the Tide staff doing a good job of bonding. Christian Robinson is leading the way in this one.

2023 highlights – HERE

Elite athlete has Bama on short list

Kalen DeBoer has seen much success in the state of California during the 2025 cycle, landing four of the top 10 Golden State players and Bama is already heavily involved with another elite player in the 2026 group. Speedster Brandon Arrington , 6-foot, 180 pounds, is from Las Mesa and ranks among the top 20 prospects in the country. On3 has the elite athlete at No. 7 nationally, and he could project on either side of the ball. But JaMarcus Shephard is recruiting Arrington for the Tide, so wide receiver is on the table.

The 2025 wideout group is expected to be small with the Tide staff looking for quality not quantity and the same could be said for 2026. Impact players are the priority. Arrington is expected to be in Tuscaloosa Sunday for the Tide’s big recruiting event. He’s also got family from Alabama who are Bama fans (Arrington looks ahead to first-ever Alabama visit – HERE ).

2023 highlights – HERE

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