Alabama is a frontrunner along with Ohio State for an elite 2027 WR

5-star WR Monshun Sales is one of the most coveted prospects in the 2027 recruiting class. While he's only trimmed his list down to 12 schools so far, it sounds like his recruitment his shaping up into a heavyweight battle between Alabama and Ohio State.

On3's Steve Wiltfong reported that the Crimson Tide and the Buckeyes are at the top for Sales:

Sales is currently ranked as the No. 12 overall player in the 247 composite and the No. 3 WR. He plays high school football in Indiana, but Sales is an Alabama native, something that could give the Crimson Tide a significant leg up in his recruitment process.

Sales is exactly the type of big-bodied WR that Kalen DeBoer and his staff have shown they covet. Sales is 6-foot-5 and 201 pounds, and could give the Tide a trio of 6-foot-4+ receivers on the roster if he chooses to join the team in 2027.

Alabama has a commitment from 6-foot-4 Cederian Morgan, a 5-star in-state prospect in the 2026 class. The Crimson Tide landed 6-foot-5 Derek Meadows in the 2025 class. Sales is the twitchiest of the three and could join a WR room that is full of mismatch potential.

Alabama and Ohio State have developed stud WRs at a ridiculous rate

It would make sense for one of the top WRs in the country to have Alabama and Ohio State head and shoulders above everyone else. In terms of WR recruiting and development, the Crimson Tide, Buckeyes, and LSU have done it at a higher level than any other program.

Alabama had some recruiting misses in the last few years of the Nick Saban era, but DeBoer and WR coach JaMarcus Shephard are bringing back the "Ryde Out" vibes to Tuscaloosa. That was an era in which Alabama had DeVonta Smith, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, Jaylen Waddle, and John Metchie on the same team.

Right now, Alabama has a WR room that looks littered with future pros again. Ryan Williams will be one of the top prospects in the 2027 draft class. Germie Bernard has worked himself into first-round consideration with his versatile, all-around game.

Miami (FL) transfer Isaiah Horton is someone who could work himself into day one or two draft talk with a strong second half of the season. Then there are other underclassmen like Lotzeir Brooks, Rico Scott, and Derek Meadows who will find themselves on NFL radars down the line.

Alabama's system is WR-friendly - and the history at the position is as good as anywhere.