The doom-and-gloom portion of the Alabama fanbase is in shambles on Friday morning. The long-awaited recruiting surge for Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide is here, and Alabama has skyrocketed up recruiting rankings as a result.
It was already a good week for the Tide's recruiting efforts, but Thursday night's commitments took it to another level.
Within 90 minutes of each other, Alabama landed commitments from 5-star RB Ezavier Crowell and 4-star TE Mack Sutter. Both are Top 100 recruits in this class, and both were heavily sought-after prospects who could have gone anywhere they wanted.
Both Crowell and Sutter were a part of Alabama's final official visit weekend, and were joined by other top prospects who could be getting ready to join the Tide's class as well.
Part of the Alabama fanbase had legitimate concerns about a perceived slow start to the 2026 recruiting cycle. Alabama entered the summer with only five committed prospects, but how quickly some are to forget things that happened just one year ago. DeBoer and staff entered last summer with just four committed prospects, and ultimately signed a top-five class. History looks set to repeat itself.
RIP to the social media screenshots from rival fanbases of Alabama ranking in the 40s or 50s in recruiting rankings. You have to feel a little bad for these people - they don't get many opportunities to poke fun at the Crimson Tide, and when they do, it tends to blow up in their faces.
Following the commitments of Crowell and Sutter, Alabama is up to 12 commitments in this class and rose all the way up to No. 11 in 247's class rankings. On3 likes Alabama's class even more, ranking it No. 8 in its class rankings.
There's plenty of more meat on the bone for DeBoer, too.
Alabama's recruiting run is just getting started
Alabama is far from done rising up the recruiting rankings. More commitments are on the horizon as decision dates near for some of the Tide's top targets.
The next player to join the class is expected to be 3-star Tuscaloosa native Zay Hall, a linebacker. Hall earned an offer after camping at Alabama and running a 4.5 40. He will announce his decision later on Friday between the Tide and Virginia Tech.
On Sunday, 5-star LB Xavier Griffin will announce his decision. Alabama is among the leaders for him, with his decision likely coming down to Bama, Texas, and Ohio State. Griffin grew up a fan of Alabama and has many ties to the state.
Between June 30th-July 2nd, Alabama might land a commitment from a WR three days in a row. Owen Cabell, Brian Williams, and 5-star Cederian Morgan are scheduled to announce their decisions in that order. Alabama is the leader for all three.
Alabama's top target left on the defensive line, 4-star Nolan Wilson, will make his announcement on July 4th. He has named Alabama his leader multiple times, but his final decision is still up in the air.
5-star safety Jireh Edwards will make his decision known on July 5th. Alabama is seen as the heavy favorite for Edwards, who canceled all of his remaining visits following his official visit to Tuscaloosa.
5-star EDGE Anthony 'Tank' Jones has yet to announce a commitment date, but one recruiting insider just named Alabama as the favorite to land the elite in-state product.
It was a good week for Alabama on the recruiting trail. All signs point towad next week being even bigger.