Alabama Loses 4-Star Pass-Rusher Recruit to SEC Rival
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The Alabama Crimson Tide are in panic mode for recruiting the 2027 class this summer, and the program received even more brutal news on Friday.
At the end of June, Alabama was ranked just No. 62 nationally. While the Crimson Tide are used to making gains late in the recruiting cycle, the team's average rating per commit ranked just 10th in the SEC, showing that head coach Kalen DeBoer is struggling to land quality players this offseason.
Per Hayes Fawcett of Rivals, four-star edge Antwan Jackson chose to commit to the Ole Miss Rebels over Alabama and Missouri. Jackson is from Memphis, Tennessee.
"BREAKING: Four-Star EDGE Antwan Jackson has Committed to Ole Miss, he tells me for Rivals, Fawcett posted on X. "The 6’6 253 EDGE chose the Rebels over Alabama and Missouri. 'HoddyToddy I’m home let’s work!🦈'"
Fans on social media reacted to the news that Jackson chose an SEC rival over Alabama.
"Another whiff for Kalen DeBoer and paydacourt," wrote a fan.
"'Over bama' yea whatever. Bama dont offer non QB’s," wrote another.
The Crimson Tide are facing challenges to land top recruits this offseason amid issues with DeBoer's ability to recruit in the South and NIL funding.
In June, DeBoer told Garry L. Harris of WVUA 23 that Alabama needs more people to donate for NIL spending.
"We've got to continue to grow," DeBoer said. "There's no question. We've got to continue to adjust to the times. We've got to continue to push the envelope. We need the support of anyone that wants to be a part of it.
"And I think more and more people do understand that you can have an awesome staff, but you've got to have the NIL support to be able to get the players because they're the ones that make the plays on Saturdays."
For now, the Crimson Tide will need to do some more digging to add to the front seven for 2027. Alabama lost several players on the front seven from last season, and it remains to be seen if that will be a problem for DeBoer in the upcoming season.
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