Summer Recruiting Heats Up for Alabama Football

Summer Recruiting Heats Up for Alabama Football

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Summer Recruiting Heats Up for Alabama Football
Aug 31, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer leads his players onto the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium for his first game as head coach. The Crimson Tide played Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

It may be the off-season for college football, but coaches and players are not sitting around sipping cocktails on a beach. Offseason workouts and strength & conditioning sessions are officially voluntary, but you have to think that teams like Alabama are likely getting 100% participation. Coaches can lead summer instruction but are limited to 8 hours per week total. The real task of the staff right now is recruiting for the future. A Quiet Period began on Thursday and runs until June 21. Then it all shuts down until July 31. At that point, teams are really starting to gear up for their 2026 season. The next three plus weeks are vital to recruiting.

COMMITTED

Alabama currently only has six commits to the Class of 2027. Oddly enough, two of them are quarterbacks. Even so, it is a good start.

  • QB Elijah Haven, Baton Rouge, LA (6-5/215) – 5-star – In three seasons, Haven has more than 9,000 yards passing, nearly 2,400 yards rushing and 178 total touchdowns.
  • LB Kenneth Simon, Brentwood, TN (6-2/210) – 4-star – A top 150 player and the #7 overall linebacker according to 247.
  • QB Trent Seaborn, Thompson HS, Alabaster, AL (6-1/200) – 4-star – Will be joining Haven for this summer’s Elite 11 Finals in Los Angeles.
  • EDGE Avrian Pauley, Mobile, AL (6-5/265) – 3-star – The UA staff evaluated him much higher than the 3-star ranking he has been given. His offer list included Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Ole Miss, and Tennessee among others. He has potential to play Bandit.
  • EDGE/LB Stevan Thornton Cairo, GA (6-3 or 6-5/194 or 200) – 3 star – Nobody seems to know this guy’s measurements. Despite what looks undersized, he is a wanted man. He had 91 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and eight sacks during his junior season. He also has offers from Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Tennessee among others. Thornton clearly will need to put on some weight before participation in SEC football but he’s explosive getting off the ball. From Andrew Bone: “he has some rare bend and dip getting around the edge for a young player with that kind of size. He has excellent closing speed, can plant and change direction, and shows some real athletic flexibility as well.”
  • TE Oakley Keegan, Liverpool, NY (6-6.75/230) – 3-star – According to Bone: “He missed his entire junior season after tearing his Achilles during the Tide’s camp last summer. The UA staff was fortunate to see the 6-foot-7, 230-pounder perform before the injury, which is the main culprit behind his low ranking.”

VISITING

In T-town right now:

  • WR Monshun Sales, 5-star, Indianapolis, IN (6-3/209) – It’s going to be tough to get him to spurn the home state Hoosiers. But if IU proves to be a one-hit wonder this fall, look out. At least he is visiting.
  • CB Hayden Stepp, 4/5-star, Bishop Gorman HS in Las Vegas (6-3/175) – This top prospect fits the mold of the big corners that Alabama wants. The Tide is thought to be leading for his services. Bishop Gorman grad Derek Meadows will surely help recruiting.
  • WR Osani Gayles, high 4-star, Tracy, Calif./IMG (5-10.5/185) – Bama is in the thick of things with this top 50 prospect. Committing June 27.
  • DL Mitchell Turner, high 4-star, Louisville, MS (6-1.5/285) – Kalen DeBoer’s staff has made great inroads into the Magnolia State. They are favored to land this gem.
  • EDGE Antwan Jackson, 3/4-star Collierville, TN (6-6/240) – Athletic Edge rusher also plays pure linebacker and tight end. 7 QBH, 5.5 sacks, 3 FF and 1 INT as a junior.
  • RB Nigel Newkirk, 3-star, Gainesville, GA (5-11/185) – 14 games with 1,496 yards and 19 TDs on 184 rushes (8.1 ypc). LSU, Ohio State, and Michigan are finalists with Alabama. He might be a little underrated. Committing July 1.
  • CB Darrius White, 3-star, Fairburn, GA (6-3/175) – Another jumbo corner on the Tide’s radar. Committing on our country’s 250th birthday.
  • LB Kenneth Simon (Alabama commit)
  • DL AJ Pauley (Alabama commit)

COMMITTING?

  • Two 4-star running backs are said to be close to committing. Nigel Newkirk (see above) and 3-star Tai Phillips from Columbia, SC (5-11/190) might be the next to pop. Newkirk is visiting Tuscaloosa this weekend.

CAMPS

  • Kicking Camp (June 1)
  • Youth Camp (June 3)
  • High School Camp 1 (June 8)
  • High School Camp 2 (June 15)

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