Alabama already has a commitment from 4-star, in-state QB Trent Seaborn in the 2027 class, but Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide are still aggressively pursuing 5-star QB Elijah Haven. The Crimson Tide sits in a good position with the nation's No. 1 QB less than two months before his scheduled commitment date.
Haven was in town for Alabama's win over Tennessee on the Third Saturday in October. He returned over the weekend to witness the Crimson Tide's 20-9 win over LSU, the school in his backyard. Haven is a Baton Rouge native, but the uncertainty surrounding the Tigers' coaching situation in the aftermath of Brian Kelly's firing has left the door wide open for someone to steal him out of Louisiana.
Alabama looks to be the team best positioned to do so, though Georgia and Florida, among others, have been aggressively pursuing him, too.
All signs currently point toward Alabama having the lead for Haven. Following his visit for the Tennessee game a few weeks ago, Rivals recruiting experts Steve Wiltfong and Sam Spiegelman placed predictions for Haven to ultimately commit to Alabama. The Crimson Tide certainly didn't lose any ground this past weekend.
Haven's father continues to say that Alabama is checking the most important boxes in his son's recruitment.
“Said it a thousand times, stability & development are the two most important things to me. Alabama checks both of those boxes," Haven's father said.
Alabama is the leader in the recruitment for 5-star QB Elijah Haven
We're still over a year away from the early signing period for the 2027 class, and even if Haven ultimately commits to DeBoer and the Crimson Tide in January, they'll have their work cut out for them to hang on to him throughout the process.
The other contenders in his recruitment won't end their pursuit just because he gave Alabama a verbal commitment. It'll be important to keep an eye on the coaching situations at both LSU and Florida. Who those programs hire will be key.
The Havens are looking for stability and proven development. Alabama can offer both. They have built a great relationship with QB coach Nick Sheridan, and even if Ryan Grubb lands a head coaching job in this wild coaching carousel, you have to figure Sheridan will remain on the staff, perhaps getting re-promoted to offensive coordinator again.
Alabama's QB development has been obvious, too. The work DeBoer and company have done with Ty Simpson is noteworthy, and both Austin Mack and Keelon Russell impressed when they played against UL Monroe earlier in the season. The staff can also point to the development of Michael Penix Jr., whom they built into a Top 10 NFL draft pick.
Alabama is in a good spot with Haven, and took another big step forward with his latest visit to Tuscaloosa.