Kalen DeBoer, Alabama Crimson Tide fall behind SEC foe in race for elite 5-star QB recruit

The Alabama Crimson Tide continues to be on the hunt for its quarterback of the future. Head coach Kalen DeBoer hoped it would be 2026 5-star QB Faizon Brandon out of Greensboro, North Carolina.

However, with Brandon's decision coming this weekend, Alabama does not appear to be in the lead. Instead, an SEC foe just north of the Tide is favored.

On3's Director of Recruiting, Chad Simmons, logged a crystal ball prediction that Tennessee would land Brandon on Saturday. He's also considering NC State and LSU.

A unanimous top-three quarterback in the class of 2026 has previously lauded the Volunteers' developmental system. One would think the 6-foot-4, 195-pounder would be drawn to DeBoer's recent history with Jake Haener and Michael Penix Jr., but it's not as if DeBoer has been at Alabama very long.

Brandon previously told On3 : “They (Alabama) started recruiting me a little later, but that’s because of the coaching change. They’ve come really hard and have been showing me a lot. They didn’t waste any time when I was on the visit. While I was on the visit, they showed me a lot. I talked to the players to see how they like it.

They’ve definitely been doing a good job of showing me how they would develop me, how they would support me and how I would be taken care of if I go there. The coaching staff, they’re showing me a lot of good things on how they can develop quarterbacks and help me get ready for the next level after college.”

The Tide already has Keelon Russell as the short-term answer after he arrives on campus in 2025. Still, every program's goal is to add a top passer every year. With Brandon likely off the board, Jared Curtis committed to Georgia, Jonas Williams likely heading to Oregon, and Semaj Beals looking like a Penn State lock, the Crimson Tide will need to be patient.

The only QB who they've offered without a heavy lean is Ryder Lyons. He's a 6-foot-2, 205-pounder out of Folsom, California with a 4-star rating.

We'll continue to update and monitor the Tide's recruiting efforts as more news comes.