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Following a 38-3 loss to eventual national champion Indiana in the College Football Playoff at the Rose Bowl in January, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer knew his team needed to add more talent for the upcoming season.

The Crimson Tide tried to land star running back power in the transfer portal, as the running game was an issue for the team all through the 2025 campaign.

However, Texas was able to nab a couple of key players Alabama wanted. Still, the Crimson Tide added enough talent to be competitive in 2026.

ESPN's Craig Hubert and Billy Tucker recently ranked the newcomer classes for the upcoming season. They have Alabama ranked at No. 7, behind SEC programs LSU (No. 1), Texas (No. 4) and Ole Miss (No. 6).

Here's who they mark as the notable additions for Alabama.

Top Alabama recruits:

• RB Ezavier Crowell
• WR Cederian Morgan
• Edge Xavier Griffin
• S Jireh Edwards
• CB Jorden Edmonds

Top Crimson Tide Transfers:

• DL Devan Thompkins
• DL Terrance Green
• OT Ty Haywood
• WR Noah Rogers
• OG Nick Brooks
• OL Jayvin James

 During an appearance Friday on WJOX radio, DeBoer argued that Alabama should be much better on defense after landing key help in the transfer portal.

"The linebacker position is the one probably hit the hardest," DeBoer said, via a transcription from 247Sports. "We brought in Caleb Woodson who is a veteran, a captain from where he is coming. And then some young guys who were being groomed for this spot when we recruited them two years ago.

"D-line, I think we did a nice job putting some things together with returners and the portal where I feel like we're at least gonna be bigger and I like the mentality that we have in the early stages."

For Alabama to make a deeper run in the CFP than they did in January, the defense must be better. The defensive line should be improved, which was a liability in the SEC championship and CFP. 

With that being said, there are plenty of questions about the offense. Alabama lost quarterback Ty Simpson to the NFL draft. He had to do it all last season without a running game. 

It's unclear if Alabama's additions will spark the offense for whatever quarterback wins the battle in spring football and training camp. 

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