Signing one of the top quarterbacks in the country in back-to-back classes in today's recruiting world is next to impossible. With the No. 2 overall player in the country, 5-star QB Keelon Russell - signing with Alabama football last cycle, it was never going to be easy to get one of the four or five best signal-callers in the 2026 class.
That's why we've seen Kalen DeBoer, Ryan Grubb, and company look a little more off-the-radar for their QB in this class. They are still pushing for some elite QBs, but they also know it's an uphill battle to pull one with Russell likely to be entrenched as the starter for 2026 and 2027.
One of Alabama's priority targets at the QB position is 4-star Derek Zammit from DePaul Catholic in Wayne, New Jersey. On Wednesday, Zammit trimmed his list to four schools, with the Crimson Tide one of the four making the cut:
NEWS: Four-Star QB Derek Zammit is down to 4️⃣ Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) March 26, 2025
The 6’1 200 QB from Wayne, NJ will choose between Alabama, Mississippi State, Washington, & Syracuse
Where Should He Go?👇🏽https://t.co/9eSnWDqTln pic.twitter.com/c3dZajVOIo
The other three schools on the list - Mississippi State, Syracuse, and Washington - can offer more immediate playing time for Zammit. His recruitment likely comes down to whether or not he prioritizes playing early or development and pedigree. There's no argument that there's a big gap between Alabama and the other schools involved here.
It's also possible that landing a commitment from Zammit wouldn't stop Alabama from pursuing other QBs in this class. Currently, Alabama only has three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster and it's unlikely that all three will be back in Tuscaloosa next season.
Zammit is scheduled to visit Alabama for A-Day weekend on April 12th.
The other QBs Alabama remains in pursuit of
Alabama is working to flip Tennessee QB commit Faizon Brandon, who is the No. 2 QB in the country per the 247 composite.
Alabama has also been involved with 5-star Houston commit Keisean Henderson.
Both of those guys would be difficult flips. There's a more direct path to playing time at both Tennessee and Houston for the two elite signal-callers than they would have at Alabama.
I would expect Alabama to push for a commitment from Zammit sooner rather than later, but that won't stop them from pursuing other options as well. Signing two QBs in this class should be something the staff prioritizes, if at all possible. Depth at the position is a legitimate worry moving forward.