It has been a good day for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama football. The Crimson Tide picked up a commitment from 3-star DL JJ Finch, earned RPMs for three other recruits who visited over the weekend, and now one of their top commitments announced he was shutting down his recruitment.
4-star OL Chris Booker from Atlanta made the announcement on Sunday afternoon, locking in his pledge to the Crimson Tide despite late pushes from a plethora of suitors, including Georgia and Florida.
Alabama commit Chris Booker shuts down recruitment
— Andrew Bone (@AndrewJBone) June 22, 2025
Booker took OV to Florida, UGA, Ole Miss and returned to UA this weekend.
“When you compare and contrast all the other schools, there just isn’t anywhere else that can do it like Bama."
🔗https://t.co/CLXxwCggeO pic.twitter.com/Jm5Kr6x6F6
A tip of the cap for this one goes to DeBoer, OL coach Chris Kapilovic, and GM Courtney Morgan for jumping on Booker early. When he committed to Alabama back in February, he was a little-known 3-star recruit. Most rival fanbases mocked the Tide for taking his commitment, that was until their team started recruiting him with vigor.
Booker has been a major riser in the industry rankings over the last few months, moving up to a composite 4-star and the No. 287 overall player in the country, per the 247 composite rankings.
Booker is one of eight commitments in the Tide's 2026 class, and one of two offensive linemen. Alabama recently added a commitment from 4-star OL Sam Utu to join Booker up front.
More good news on the horizon for Alabama recruiting
Alabama has a lot of momentum on the recruiting trail, and that momentum should carry them to a pretty big summer. This weekend was a major one for the Tide with priority targets visiting Tuscaloosa.
Alabama picked up a commitment from Finch, along with predictions for others. They are also at the top of the list for plenty of top targets who will be announcing their commitments in the coming weeks.
TE Roman Voss is announcing his commitment on Monday, and is down to the Tide and home-state Minnesota.
On Thursday, RB Ezavier Crowell and TE Mack Sutter are both scheduled to commit. Alabama is in good shape to land both of them.
On Friday, OT Malakai Lee, Alabama's top offensive tackle target, makes his decision.
Next Sunday and into next week, Alabama will learn the decisions of LB Xavier Griffin, WR Brian Williams, WR Cederian Morgan, WR Boobie Feaster, and S Jireh Edwards. Of that group, Alabama has picked up predictions for all other than Feaster.
Tide fans have been impatient, and understandably so, with the slow start to the 2026 cycle. But the lid appears ready to blow off for DeBoer and company as Alabama pushes for another top class.