Alabama a finalist for 4-star who could be the missing piece for Kalen DeBoer's offense

It has been a few years since Alabama had a true difference-maker at tight end. Kalen DeBoer is trying to change that. The Crimson Tide signed a potential game-changer in the 2025 cycle in Kaleb Edwards, who enrolled at Alabama this summer. DeBoer is trying to double-dip in the 2026 cycle.

4-star TE Mack Sutter - a 6-foot-5, 230-pound prospect from Dunlap, Illinois - is Alabama's top target at the position in this class. Late Thursday night, Sutter announced a final four that included the Crimson Tide:

His group of four contenders is a battle for DeBoer. Ohio State has the deep pockets, Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss can pitch a fun offensive system, and Illinois is the home-state school. But Alabama does have one significant advantage in the recruitment of Sutter working in its favor.

Mack Sutter set to visit Alabama on June 20th

Sutter's commitment date of June 26th is less than a week after his official visit to Alabama. The Crimson Tide getting the last visit is critical in its pursuit of the playmaking TE. Sutter has already taken his official visit to his three other finalists, giving DeBoer and Alabama the last opportunity to make their pitch prior to his decision.

The weekend of June 20th is a monster recruiting weekend for the Tide. Along with Sutter, Alabama has numerous highly regarded official visitors, most notably a trio of in-state 5-stars: WR Cederian Morgan, EDGE Anthony "Tank" Jones, and RB Ezavier Crowell.

DeBoer has built an offense in Tuscaloosa littered with playmakers at WR, but Alabama has been missing a real difference-maker at TE the last few years. CJ Dippre was Alabama's leading receiver at the position a year ago with only 256 yards and no touchdowns.

Irv Smith Jr. was the last real difference-maker at TE for Alabama, and the last player at the position to eclipse 500 receiving yards in a single-season. Smith racked up 710 yards and seven touchdowns in his final season in Tuscaloosa in 2018.

DeBoer has been aggressive in his pursuit of tight ends in the last two cycles. Along with signing Edwards in the 2025 cycle, Alabama added 4-star Marshall Pritchett from the high school ranks. Alabama also added a pair of tight ends - Troy's Brody Dalton and West Virginia's Jack Sammarco - in the spring Transfer Portal.

The position has been an area of need in Tuscaloosa. Early playing time could be readily available for a player of Sutter's capabilities, a pitch that will no doubt resonate with the Illinois product during his official visit next weekend.