A new priority target has emerged for Alabama in the 2026 class

No program in the country has had a better few weeks on the recruiting trail than Alabama. Kalen DeBoer has led the Crimson Tide into the top 5 in the industry recruiting rankings after opening the summer ranked in the 50s.

No program in the country has had a better few weeks on the recruiting trail than Alabama. Kalen DeBoer has led the Crimson Tide into the top 5 in the industry recruiting rankings after opening the summer ranked in the 50s.

Alabama is up to 19 recruits in this class and will spend the majority of the next few months looking to hang on to those prospects. Most insiders believe the plan is to take a class of around 22-24 this recruiting cycle, meaning the Crimson Tide's class is close to being full.

They still have a few spots and are examining options across the country. They hope for two of those spots to be taken by 5-star EDGE Anthony 'Tank' Jones and 4-star QB Tayden Kaawa. They are also in hot pursuit of an offensive tackle to add to their OL haul. They recently extended an offer to a prospect committed elsewhere, who will now be a big priority moving forward.

Alabama extends offer to Georgia Tech commit Bear Fretwell

Over the weekend, Alabama extended an offer to 3-star OL Breat Fretwell, a Brooklet, GA native and current Georgia Tech commitment.

Fretwell committed to Georgia Tech a month ago, but the Alabama offer could change things for him. His star ranking might not jump off the page, and he's ranked as just the No. 72 OT in the country, but Fretwell has impressive measurables at 6-foot-7 and 290 pounds. He might be a project, but the tools are there for him to be a power-four starter at tackle.

You also have to consider that Georgia Tech coach Brent Key, a former Alabama assistant and one of the most respected offensive line evaluators in the country, made him a priority.

Currently, Alabama has commitments from two offensive linemen in the 2026 class: 4-stars Sam Utu and Chris Booker. Both project to begin their careers as interior players, however, so the need remains for an offensive tackle.

Alabama is also in the final three for 4-star OT Wilson Zierer, along with Florida State and Auburn. He'll be a tough pull with his connections to the Seminoles and Tigers. His older brother played at Auburn for now Florida State offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn.

Alabama is likely to be a player in the Transfer Portal for an OT regardless, with the expectation that star left tackle Kadyn Proctor will enter the NFL Draft following this season.

Alabama's depth at tackle has taken a hit in recent years, and while they added 4-star Jackson Lloyd and versatile 5-star Michael Carroll in last year's class, the need for more depth remains. They also took a flier on Ball State transfer Arkel Anugwom, another guy with impressive measurables who is expected to be a project.

Alabama will look to get Fretwell on campus for a game ths fall as they work toward a potential flip.