Kalen DeBoer and Alabama are quickly flipping the narrative for the 2028 recruiting class and proving to all the naysayers that the Crimson Tide's "struggles" on the 2027 trail have been mostly by design.
After signing back-to-back elite classes in 2025 and 2026, Alabama scaled back its efforts in 2027 with little room for a big incoming freshman class. But in 2028, DeBoer and company are ramping back up their efforts.
That has culminated in the Crimson Tide sitting at No. 1 in the composite rankings for the 2028 cycle. Alabama holds seven commitments, three of whom rank inside the Top 150: QB Kingston Preyear, EDGE Tysir Young, and OL Anthony Blalock Jr.
Alabama is in good shape for several other elite recruits, too, including star in-state 5-star prospects like OL Joey Fleming and LB Nehemiah McCary.
Now, according to Blake Byler with Bama OnLine, Alabama is in pole position for 5-star DL Tyzon Swann out of Indian Head, Maryland:
DL Tyzon Swann is one of the top prospects in the entire 2028 class, and Alabama has established itself as the team to beat in his recruitment.
— Blake Byler (@blakebyler45) August 10, 2026
"[They're] number one, for sure," he told @BOL_On3.
STORY: https://t.co/N7urYr6Njd (On3+) pic.twitter.com/86UJILF0aH
5-star DL Tyzon Swann says Alabama is 'number one' in his recruitment
Swann's profile blew up after a monster sophomore season of high school football. He put up an insane 50 tackles-for-loss and 16 sacks, which led to his 5-star ranking. He's the No. 10 overall prospect in the composite for 2028 and is one of the most sought-after prospects in the class.
Swann holds offers from the likes of Florida, Ohio State, Auburn, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Texas, among dozens of others. Home state Maryland will also be a factor in his recruitment.
There's a long way to go between now and the early signing period next December for the 2028 class, but it's obvious that Alabama has positioned itself well for the 5-star defensive lineman.
Swann has the frame to bulk up to potentially play the DT spot in Kane Wommack's system, but he could also play Bandit, depending on how he fills out over the next couple of years. He could be the Bandit/DT hybrid that it appears the Crimson Tide is hoping USC transfer Devan Thompkins can be this season.
Alabama is happy with the defensive line haul it landed in 2026 and hasn't been as aggressive in the 2027 class for that position group. It appears that will flip in 2028.
Wommack talked recently about the need for difference-makers on the defensive line, something Alabama worked hard this offseason to acquire and develop. Swann would be the most elite high school defensive lineman that Alabama has signed during the DeBoer era so far, if the Crimson Tide can close things out with Swann.
It won't be easy, but Alabama is sitting in a strong position early on.
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