It has been a productive Early Signing Period for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama football. All 20 of the expected signees put pen to paper on Wednesday, delivering what will likely finish as a second consecutive top-five recruiting class for the Crimson Tide under DeBoer's guidance.
Alabama could still pull off a surprise signing or two while this window is open, but for the most part, the work is done in the high school recruiting class. 4-star LSU OL commitment Bryson Cooley is a prospect to keep an eye on in the coming days as Alabama works to potentially flip him.
Regardless of what happens down the stretch, this is another elite class for DeBoer as he proves for the second straight cycle that the narrative about his ability to recruit was always nonsense.
Alabama's class is deep, talented, and versatile. We've seen this coaching staff's willingness to play freshmen, so quite a few from this class may contribute early. Here are the four most likely.
Alabama signees most likely to carve out immediate roles in Tuscaloosa
4. Nolan Wilson, DL, Picayune, MS
Alabama was on 4-star DL Nolan Wilson before anyone. In fact, the Crimson Tide was the first program to extend an offer to Wilson. He blew up soon after, becoming one of the most sought-after prospects in the 2026 class.
Miami worked hard to flip him, but Alabama's early relationship with Wilson helped it get to the finish line.
Wilson's role at Alabama is likely to be versatile. He'll probably start his college career in the Bandit room, but could end up playing some defensive tackle down the road, too. He has the frame to hold 280+ pounds. With LT Overton exhausting his eligibility, there could be some rotational snaps available at Bandit as Jordan Renaud and Keon Keeley are left to compete for the starting gig.
3. Xavier Griffin, LB, Gainesville, GA
5-star LB Xavier Griffin has been compared to Jihaad Campbell and is likely to be a versatile chess piece in Kane Wommack's defensive scheme. Expect Griffin to start his career working with the Wolf linebackers, but he may end up best suited to an off-ball linebacker role down the road.
Alabama's Wolf LB room may be pretty loaded next year with Yhonzae Pierre, Qua Russaw, Justin Hill, and Noah Carter all slated to return. But on the inside, the Crimson Tide will lose all three of its top 'backers in Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson, and Nikhai Hill-Green.
Some moving and shaking at inside and outside linebacker should be expected, which could open up an early role for the talented Griffin.
2. Cederian Morgan, WR, Alexander City, AL
It looks like Alabama is only going to sign one WR in the 2026 high school class, with Owen Cabell flipping to Vanderbilt, and the expectation that Brian Williams will soon follow suit by flipping to Auburn.
Alabama could see some significant roster turnover in the WR room for the second straight offseason. Germie Bernard is out of eligibility after the season, and junior Isaiah Horton could decide to test the NFL waters. There's also always the possibility of receivers down the depth chart - think Jalen Hale and Cole Adams - who could enter the portal, too.
Alabama could be active in scouring the portal for a WR or two, as well, but we've seen now two consecutive seasons that DeBoer and this offensive staff aren't afraid to give meaningful snaps to a freshman. Ryan Williams was the guy in 2024, and it has been Lotzeir Brooks this season.
Next year, it could be Cederian Morgan, the No. 5 WR in the country, per the composite. Morgan has elite size and physical traits, and he just put together a monster senior season at Benjamin Russell.
1. EJ Crowell, RB, Jackson, AL
Alabama has been missing a true difference-maker in the RB room since Jahmyr Gibbs left for the NFL. It likely found one in the 2026 recruiting class with 5-star EJ Crowell, who seems to be the most likely day one contributor from this crop of signees.
Alabama will lose seniors Jam Miller and Dre Washington, and there's a strong likelihood that Richard Young will hit the Transfer Portal. That would leave Alabama with Daniel Hill, Kevin Riley, and AK Dear from this year's team. That trio is a good start to building the 2026 room, but none of them has the ceiling of Crowell.
Crowell reclassified from the 2027 class to 2026 after three seasons of video game numbers at Jackson High School. The Alabama signee has rushed for over 6000 yards in three seasons, including 2324 this year, to go along with 30 touchdowns.
It won't take long for Crowell to earn playing time in Tuscaloosa.