They won't come right out and say it, but it's obvious by the players Alabama is targeting at RB in the 2027 cycle that they fully intend to sign two backs in this class. And Kalen DeBoer and company sure hope that they land these two in a speedier fashion.
While Alabama locked up 5-star EJ Crowell last summer, it wasn't until the early signing period that the Crimson Tide nabbed 3-star Trae'shawn Brown, who looks like a gem after an eye-opening spring.
In this cycle, Alabama doesn't have a back as talented as Crowell on the board, but he's a generational running back prospect. Those don't come around all that often.
But there are still talented players on the Tide's board. Four of them are currently slated to be in Tuscaloosa in the coming weeks for official visits:
- 4-star Nigel Newkirk (Gainesville, GA) - visiting May 29th
- 4-star Trey Martin (Winnsboro, LA) - visiting June 5th
- 3-star Tai Phillips (Fayetteville, NC) - visiting June 12th
- 4-star Kingston Miles (Saint Louis, MO) - visiting June 19th
Given the choice of the bunch, Nigel Newkirk and Kingston Miles would make a formidable Alabama duo
Any combination of two from that quartet would make for a stellar haul for the Crimson Tide in the 2027 cycle. But for our money, we'd lean toward prioritizing Nigel Newkirk and Kingston Miles, if given the choice.
Alabama is the early favorite for Newkirk, who intends to make his commitment announcement on July 1st, but after visiting Tuscaloosa on May 29th, he's scheduled to take trips to LSU, Ohio State, and Michigan as well.
Newkirk was high school teammates with current Alabama defenders Xavier Griffin and Jamarion Matthews, which has aided the Tide in his recruitment. On a terrific high school team last year, Newkirk rushed for 1496 yards and 19 touchdowns. Alabama picked up a prediction to land Newkirk last month.
Miles is a newer name to Alabama's board, but he has shot toward the top. The Tide has done the same on his board, with recent visits by RB coach Robert Gillespie positioning Alabama well in his recruitment heading into his official visits.
Miles rushed for over 2000 yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior while also running track. He's got home run ability out of the backfield. It won't be easy to pull him out of his home state, but DeBoer and company will get their crack at him on June 19th in what is currently the last visit he has scheduled.
Neither Martin nor Phillips is exactly a consolation prize, either. Both are terrific backs in their own right who would be outstanding additions to the Alabama backfield.
Alabama holds the lead for Martin according to the Rivals RPM, but he'll also take visits to Tennessee, Florida, Ole Miss, and LSU.
Phillips isn't as highly ranked as the other three, but he might be the most realistic as a "secondary" back in this class, and could prove to be a Brown-like gem for the Crimson Tide.
However things fall, Alabama is in a strong position to further elevate the talent in the RB room with a couple of outstanding additions in the 2027 class.
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