Kalen DeBoer and Alabama have a legitimate opportunity to steal the top player from the state of Ohio away from the Buckeyes.
Elite LB Cincere Johnson, ranked as the No. 1 player in the state of Ohio per On3, has narrowed his list to three schools: Alabama, Ohio State, and Penn State.
Johnson has had Alabama high on his list for a while. He attended the Crimson Tide's Junior Day earlier in the year and is currently scheduled to take his official visit to Tuscaloosa over the weekend of May 30th. Johnson is expected to make a decision sometime this summer following his official visits.
This has long been seen as an Alabama vs. Ohio State battle, but Penn State has made a major push for Johnson, making this a three-horse race for his signature.
Johnson told On3's Steve Wiltfong what stands out about Alabama to him:
"Alabama has a rich history. That program, everything about it, it’s a major school. You can’t deny it. The thing they’ve done with linebackers, their portfolio is unmatched.”
It won't be easy to pull the star LB out of his home state. The Buckeyes want him, and they tend to get the guys they want in their own backyard. But Alabama has done as good a job as they could to sway him toward Tuscaloosa. His visit on May 30th will be critical.
May 30th is a major recruiting weekend for Alabama
Alabama has a lot of momentum on the recruiting trail and will be looking to pay that off with a run of commitments over the summer. While the Tide has some impressive players committed, they currently only have a five-man recruiting class. That will change soon.
Joining Johnson on official visits that weekend include WR Boobie Feaster, OL Malakai Lee, DL Titan Davis, RB Jonaz Walton, LB Brayden Rouse, and Alabama OL commitment Chris Booker.
Alabama will have a need at LB in this class despite signing four in the 2025 class. Alabama's top three off-ball linebackers - Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson, and Nikhai Hill Green - are entering their final season of collegiate eligibility.
DeBoer and DC Kane Wommack will be able to pitch Johnson on an early opportunity for playing time that might not be available at Ohio State or Penn State. Starting positions at both the Mike and the Sting positions in Wommack's defensive scheme will be vacated.