Head-to-head recruiting battles for Alabama against Texas over the last six months have not been kind to the Crimson Tide.
The Longhorns have frequently taken out their checkbook and smacked Alabama across the face with it.
That was evident in the last Transfer Portal window when Auburn transfer WR Cam Coleman, a top Tide target, chose Texas over Alabama. It was even more evident when NC State transfer RB Hollywood Smoothers, an Alabama commitment, flipped to Texas on a visit to Austin.
Coleman was perhaps never actually realistic and was not a major need. Smothers, on the other hand, was a major need with Alabama desperately looking to improve one of the nation's worst ground games.
Texas already holds commitments in its 2027 class from several of Alabama's top targets, like 5-star CB John Meredith III and 5-star OL Ismael Camara. That's not to mention in-state products like EDGE Jabarrius Garror or S Junior Tu'upo.
And it could be on the verge of happening again.
While Indiana has always been viewed as Alabama's top competition for 5-star WR Monshun Sales, an Alabama native who moved to Indianapolis as a kid, it appears that Texas has gained significant momentum with Sales.
The 5-star receiver has provided plenty of smoke with recent social media activity pointing to Texas being very much alive in his recruitment, per Hook Em Headlines.
Alabama could be on the verge of another devastating recruiting loss to Texas with Monshun Sales
Sales has been Alabama's top 2027 target for the entirety of the cycle. But with a decision expected soon, there is less and less optimism that Alabama will come out on top.
Kalen DeBoer and company have done everything they can to try to lure the lifelong Crimson Tide fan to Tuscaloosa. Unfortunately, this is a new era of college football, and money matters a whole lot more than any previous allegiance.
And if Sales winds up at Texas, it would be impossible to ignore the reality that it was a decision driven by money.
Losing out to Indiana would be understandable for a variety of reasons. The Hoosiers are the home-state school for Sales. They're also coming off a national championship and don't appear to be tailing off any time soon.
And while Steve Sarkisian has frequently landed elite talent in Austin, the Longhorns have still largely underachieved. Last season's 9-3 record has put a lot of pressure on Sark to get Texas back into the College Football Playoff and ultimately deliver the program's first national title since 2005.
The boosters are certainly writing the checks to make that dream a reality.
For Alabama, the reality is different. They have the money to be competitive, but when it comes down to these head-to-head type battles, programs like Texas have the capability of adding an extra zero to a check if necessary to ensure they win it. Their budgets are unlimited.
That has been a harsh reality check over and over again, particularly against Texas. We could be headed for yet another example of it, one that would add insult to injury to a disappointing 2027 recruiting cycle for Crimson Tide fans.
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