Fresh off of signing the No. 2 QB in the country in the 2025 class in Keelon Russell, Kalen DeBoer and Alabama weren't able to attract the elite of the elite signal-callers in the 2026 class. That being said, they still ultimately landed two intriguing four-star prospects in Jett Thomalla and Tayden Kaawa, both of whom possess the talent to be SEC starters down the line.
Alabama is back to swinging for the fences in the 2027 class, and the consensus No. 1 QB in the class is 5-star Elijah Haven from Baton Rouge, LA. Haven has the size and physical tools to be a superstar. He's the exact archetype that DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb have shown to covet with his 6-foot-5 frame and rocket arm.
Pulling Haven out of Louisiana won't be easy, and the 5-star is coveted by virtually everyone, but Alabama's track record - and separately DeBoer's - is intriguing for the Baton Rouge product.
Alabama has a history of developing NFL quarterbacks, from Jalen Hurts to Tua Tagovailoa to Mac Jones to Bryce Young, and most recently Jalen Milroe. Alabama's last five starting quarterbacks have all been drafted in the third round or higher in the NFL Draft.
Then there's DeBoer and the current Tide staff, which nurtured Michael Penix from an undervalued recruit to the No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 draft. For DeBoer, there's also former Fresno State QB Jake Haenar, who has carved out a career in the NFL as a backup.
It's those things that have stood out for Haven early in the process. There's still a long way to go in his recruitment, and NIL will almost certainly be a factor.
Alabama will swing for the fences with Haven, but also has two great in-state options for 2027
If Alabama strikes out with Haven, they can circle back to a pair of elite in-state options at QB in the 2027 class.
First, there's Thompson's Trent Seaborn, who recently earned an offer from the Crimson Tide staff. Seaborn is a popular QB state-wide and has started for the powerhouse at Thompson since he was in the eighth grade. He's a consensus 4-star prospect in the class. He's already trending toward an Alabama commitment.
The other currently doesn't hold an offer from the Crimson Tide, but that seems imminent once they have him on campus and watch him throw. 4-star QB Gunner Rivers, the son of former NFL QB Philip Rivers, is out of Fairhope and one of the top quarterbacks in the 2027 class. 247 has him as the No. 2 overall QB in the class, behind only Haven.
DeBoer and the Tide will continue to evaluate their options at the position and will almost certainly land a blue-chip prospect.