Alabama football leads the nation in the recruiting category that matters most

Head coaches don’t view every recruit they offer as a future superstar. Much of the bulk of recruiting classes consists of development projects and role players, brought into the program to provide crucial depth. Building that depth is vitally important to the long-term health of a program, but historically, you win national championships with blue-chip players. 

Recruiting classes at the most prominent programs in the country are often judged by one thing, and it sure isn’t amassing depth. In the SEC, and at Alabama in particular, recruiting is about attracting five-star talent, and Kalen DeBoer is doing it as well as Nick Saban ever did, leading the country in five-stars in the 2026 recruiting class. 

Kalen DeBoer’s 5 2026 5-stars outpace the rest of the country

Cederian Morgan is the highest-rated recruit in Alabama’s 2026 recruiting class by 247Sports Composite Rankings. The in-state 5-star wide receiver is the No. 12 overall player in the country and the second-highest rated player at his position. He is followed closely in Alabama’s class by safety Jireh Edwards (No. 23 overall), cornerback Jorden Edmonds (No. 24), edge rusher Xavier Griffin (No. 27), and running back Ezavier Crowell. 

That group of blue-chip recruits is as exciting as any in the country. DeBoer’s recruiting surge through June dispelled any notions that he wouldn’t be able to follow up on his No. 3 overall class from the 2025 cycle with another elite group, and has the arrow pointed up in Tuscaloosa. Alabama’s 2026 class ranked fifth-best in the country with 19 commits and more potentially on the way. 

The expectations for DeBoer on the field in 2025 are College Football Playoff-or-bust, but back-to-back elite recruiting classes, especially the 2026 group with the most five-stars in the nation, could buy him some more time if the Tide fall short of that goal this season.

The pressure in Tuscaloosa remains more intense than anywhere in the country. Saban’s dominance made sure of that. But even the Tide could show some patience when there is this much talent flowing into the program.

Perhaps you'd prefer to take the more optimistic view. Many expected Alabama's recruiting to fall off with Saban's departure, but that hasn't been the case. Despite last season's disappointing ending, DeBoer's elite recruiting has made it possible for Alabama to reclaim its spot as the college football's most dominant force with a seamless transition to its new era.

The Tide are ready to win big this season, before fully integrating the 2025 and 2026 recruiting classes. That's a scary thought for the rest of the SEC.