Alabama is on fire on the recruiting trail right now. It's just not for the 2027 class.
While the 2027 cycle has been less than stellar, Kalen DeBoer and company appear to be gearing up for a run at one of the nation's top classes in 2028, similar to what they landed during the 2025 and 2026 cycles.
Alabama has the No. 1-ranked class in the composite for the 2028 cycle right now. They just strengthened their stranglehold.
Just three days after landing 4-star QB Kingston Preyear, DeBoer and his staff invaded the Buckeye state to land Ohio's top offensive lineman, 4-star IOL Anthony Blalock Jr. out of Youngstown:
BREAKING: Four-Star OT Anthony Blalock Jr. (2028) has Committed to Alabama, he tells me for @Rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 13, 2026
The 6’6 315 OT chose the Crimson Tide over Ohio State & Texas Tech
“I give all the glory to God! I just want to thank my family… let the legacy begin”⁰https://t.co/JkKUhbyxXH pic.twitter.com/92dmid78Hl
4-star OL Anthony Blalock Jr. commits to Alabama over Ohio State, others
Blalock is a consensus 4-star recruit in the 2028 class and is ranked as the No. 6 player in the state of Ohio and the top-ranked offensive lineman in the state.
Blalock becomes Alabama's sixth commitment in the 2028 cycle already. The list includes:
- 4-star QB Kingston Preyear
- 4-star IOL Anthony Blalock Jr.
- 4-star CB Braylen Gibbs
- 3-star QB Charles Scott Jr.
- 3-star LB Dustin Henry
- 3-star LB Ryquan Butler
Alabama hasn't prioritized a lot of recruits in 2027 due to the sheer number of young players currently on the roster. Retention is the top priority for the Crimson Tide, and they aren't going to overpay a bunch of high schoolers in this class.
They appear to be taking a much more aggressive approach to 2028 and are working to build the class early this time around.
Blalock could be the first domino in what turns out to be the best offensive line haul in the country next year. Alabama has two priority tackle targets in their backyard for the next cycle with 4-stars Joey Fleming and Samuel Bailey out of Huntsville.
Of course, the concern with any early commitment is whether or not they will stick. Alabama has landed early commitments every year under DeBoer, and they haven't all stuck. It's typically too early for any financial packages to be discussed, so that could obviously change everything with all six of the guys committed.
Blalock is a big fish, and you can bet that Ohio State will continue to talk with the in-state product to try and keep him from leaving their borders. If they weren't pushing too hard yet, they certainly will now that he's committed to Alabama.
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