Alabama WR target builds momentum after MVP performance with decision looming

Kalen DeBoer and Alabama are big game hunting for wide receivers in the 2027 recruiting class. In a perfect world, that would lead to two elite commitments from 5-star Monhsun Sales and 4-star Osani Gayles.

While Sales' recruitment appears to still be up in the air, Alabama has gained a whole lot of momentum for Gayles, the California native who plays high school football at IMG Academy in Florida.

Gayles's recruitment took a drastic turn in the last few days when he cancelled upcoming visits to both Tennessee and Notre Dame, seemingly narrowing his list of options to three between Alabama, Washington, and Stanford. The Crimson Tide buzz has been undeniable, however, and several experts have logged predictions that Gayles will ultimately commit to Alabama on June 27th.

While Gayles may not carry the same ranking as Sales, he continues to stand out on the camp circuit ahead of his senior season. His latest performance at the Overtime Elite 7-on-7 camp was eye-opening, earning him the MVP honors from the one recruiting service that has been slower to accept the reality that he's one of the most elite recruits in the 2027 class.

4-star WR Osani Gayles earns the Rivals MVP of the OT7 Finals

Gayles was reportedly dominant at this camp, and his earning MVP from Rivals is notable because of the three major recruiting services, they've been the one that has doubted him as an elite-level prospect.

Any chance Gayles has of earning a 5th star in this cycle will start with an updated ranking from Rivals, which seems inevitable after his performance at the OT7 Finals.

Osani Gayles recruiting rankings by serice:

247: No. 34 Nationally; No. 7 WR
ESPN: No. 35 Nationally; No. 6 WR
Rivals: No. 11 Nationally; No. 21 WR

No disrespect to the scouts at Rivals, but that ranking for Gayles is preposterous. There aren't 20 receivers in this class better than him. There aren't 10. There may not be as many as five.

Gayles is the type of player who can be a real difference-maker as a freshman, and he continues to make it obvious as to why DeBoer and the Crimson Tide's staff have made him such a priority during this recruiting cycle.

Obviously, Alabama fans are hopeful that the Tide ends up with Gayles and Sales in this class. But if Sales carves out a different path, Gayles is much more than just a consolation prize. For most programs, he would be the centerpiece of their class.

He's that good. And he keeps proving it.

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