Questions about Kalen DeBoer's ability to recruit continue to look silly. Coming off of signing a Top 5 class a year ago, Alabama is eyeing another highly rated recruiting class in the 2026 cycle.
While building this class has gotten off to a slow-ish start with only five commitments, the Crimson Tide has a ton of momentum on the recruiting trail and it feels like a major run of commitments is coming sometime this summer.
Alabama has put itself in strong positions with some of the most elite prospects in the nation. On Tuesday night, it learned it was a finalist for yet another blue-chipper.
4-star LB Nick Abrams II narrowed his list to four schools and locked in his official visit schedule:
Abrams is down to Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, and Oregon. He will take official visits this summer to all four schools with the Crimson Tide hosting the 4-star LB on June 13th.
The two teams that seemingly had the lead in his recruitment - at least according to On3's RPM - Penn State and Maryland, did not make his final four.
Abrams is a consensus 4-star LB and with his size at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, likely projects as a "Sting" in Kane Wommack's defensive system. Abrams is ranked as the No. 243 overall player in the 247 Composite rankings and the No. 6 player in the state of Maryland.
Abrams will announce his commitment on July 16th.
Linebacker figures to be a big need for Alabama in 2026
Alabama has a deep, experienced, and talented group of LBs for the 2025 season. But that strength will become a need in 2026. Alabama's top three off-ball linebackers - Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson, and Nikhai Hill-Green, are all entering their final season of eligibility.
Alabama has some young talent at the position and signed a big class of linebackers in 2025. QB Reese, Cayden Jones, and Abduall Sanders all had nice springs and look to be solid complimentary pieces on next season's team.
But finding more 'backers will be a priority for DeBoer, DC Kane Wommack, and LB coach Chuck Morrell.
Along with Abrams, Alabama is in a fierce recruiting battle with Ohio State for Cincinnati native and 4-star Cincere Johnson. The Crimson Tide is also among the leaders for 4-star Georgia native Brayden Rouse.